Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, aka 'TheLiverDoc' and Indian Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi
Credit: X/@theliverdr and PTI Photo
Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, aka 'TheLiverDoc' and Indian Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi were seen indulging in a war of words on social media recently.
Philips who is known for addressing "medical misinformation" called out Vidit for his replies on a recent post that he had made.
Only July 1, Vidit had posted a picture with his family on Doctor's Day, with the caption, "Happy Doctor's day to my entire family".
Under the post someone commented asking what are the specialties of his family members.
"My father is a Ayurvedic migraine specialist, Wife is MD Homoeopathy, Mom does cosmetology and sister is a physiotherapist," Vidit replied.
Soon after this, Philips, re-sharing the post, wrote, "I am sorry but none of them are really doctors", after which the online clash began.
Replying to Philips, Vidit defended his post and wrote, "Your entire brand and personality is built on insulting others. While you chase retweets by tearing people down, my family quietly heals lives without needing a spotlight. They’ve helped more people than your ego can count. Stay in your lane. And for a change, try being useful."
As the online conflict continued, Philips in another post wrote, "Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Cosmetology or Physiotherapy are not realistic clinical medicine or and their practitioners are not clinical physicians."
Following this, Vidit made another post where he said he "stepped in as it turned into mocking his family".
"You and trolls like you don’t get to decide who’s a doctor. You have no authority to define others lives or dismiss their work," Vidit wrote.
On Friday, the Philips made another post, which seems related to the ongoing conflict where he wrote, "Dear friends, good morning. A life update. Even though it was short but sweet, I have decided to quit playing chess on social media with science illiterates and is determined on being "useful" as a clinical doctor. You and trolls like you don’t get to decide who’s a doctor."
A self-proclaimed accidental chess player, Vidit Gujrathi had said he thought of sports as a more "stable" career option after watching his doctor parents being called to work at odd hours, an "error of judgement" that has ultimately "worked out well" for him, according to a PTI report.