Indian-origin doctor at Royal Bahrain Hospital sacked over anti-Palestine posts
Indian-origin doctor
An Indian-origin doctor working at a hospital in Bahrain was sacked after his alleged anti-Palestine posts on X triggered a backlash from users. The Royal Bahrain Hospital announced on Thursday (Oct 19) that they have decided to terminate Dr Sunil Rao with “immediate effect” for posting “tweets on social media platforms that are offensive to our society”.
In a series of posts on X, Rao seemingly supported Israel amid its ongoing war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. However, his posts went viral on the microblogging platform after another user posted screenshots and tagged Bahraini officials along with his profile on the hospital’s website.
He may also face legal action since Bahrain's interior ministry in a brief statement on X said, "Combating cybercrime: Arresting a person who posted tweets that insult religion and negatively affect the security and safety of society," without giving any further details.
ALSO READ |Modi pledges humanitarian aid to Palestinians in talks with President Abbas
Royal Bahrain Hospital’s response
)
22 children dead, 35 infected: India's Gujarat faces Chandipura virus outbreak — Experts explain symptoms
)
'Words had single meaning': Udhayanidhi Stalin denies 'double meaning' remark on actress Trisha, claims he was 'treated like terrorist'
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
WMO warns Super El Niño is set to become monstrous between Aug-Oct - This was 'only a warm-up act'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
)
'Should not be bullied': CJP says movement will expand beyond protests. Politics, or something bigger?
)
'Can't rip open my chest but...': On Day 11 of student protest, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren breaks silence
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Why did FSSAI ban the sale of Old Monk, Antiquity Blue and other liquor brands?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Sujatha Vijayakumar? The producer defending daughter Aarti in Ravi Mohan divorce battle
)
Another assassination attempt? Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course ahead of presidential visit to LA
)
Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's mandatory E20 petrol rollout
)
WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Spinner Sajid Khan helps Pakistan turn screw for series-levelling win against hosts
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
'I believe in freedom of expression...': Shashi Tharoor clarifies on attending event where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address Gen Zs
)
Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen; all crew rescued
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
‘India’s FCRA bill an attack on Christians, could hit bilateral ties,’ says US lawmaker
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
The hospital belongs to the Indian-based KIMS Global and is headquartered in the city of Trivandrum, Kerala, with dozens ofhospitals and medical centres across India and several Gulf countries. It soon took action against Rao and decided to fire him.
“It has come to our attention that Dr Sunil Rao who is working as a Specialist in Internal Medicine has posted tweets on social media that are offensive to our society,” said the Royal Bahrain Hospital, in a statement on X.
It added, “We would like to confirm that his tweets and ideology are personal and do not reflect the opinion and values of the hospital. This is a violation of our code of conduct and we have taken the necessary legal actions and his service has been terminated with immediate effect.”
Rao’s apology
Prior to the hospital’s response, Rao took to X and said, “I profoundly regret my words & actions.” He added, “I would like to apologize for the statement I posted on this platform. It was insensitive in the context of the current event. As a doctor all lives matter.”
ALSO READ |Sunak wants Israel to 'win', condemns 'Nazi' Hamas while increasing aid for Palestinians
“I respect this country its people and its religion deeply as I have been here for past 10 years,” said Rao.
According to screenshots of his profile on the hospital’s website shared with the series of posts, Rao specialises in internal medicine with clinical expertise in Diabetes Mellitus type 1 and type 2, Thyroid disorders, hypertension, and so on.
As per his X profile, he is a graduate of Andhra Medical College in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam and did his MD from Kasturba Medical College in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
Notably, Rao’s profile from the Royal Bahrain Hospital’s website has since been deleted.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.