Hyderabad: In a lengthy letter to Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, posted in its entirety on X, former CBI director M. Nageswara Rao flagged an alleged racket promoting circumcision among non-Muslim boys in the state.
Within less than 30 minutes, Yadav, who is Andhra Pradesh’s lone BJP minister, responded to the X post saying his department would look into the allegations.
In his post, former IPS officer Rao wrote that circumcision procedures among boys, including those from non-Muslim communities, were being conducted in hospitals in the NDA-ruled state.
He claimed to have credible information of many medical practitioners “being taught or influenced to believe that circumcision is a beneficial medical procedure”.
“As a result, they have been advising and performing circumcisions on non-Muslim boys,” Rao’s letter said.
The practice had continued for a considerable period in Andhra Pradesh, the ex-IPS officer further wrote, adding that he suspected it was an organised effort to promote a communal agenda. “This practice is deeply concerning, as it appears to stem from misinformation being disseminated in medical education or training, possibly with an organised effort behind it to promote a particular religious or communal agenda under the guise of scientific medical practice.”
Sri @satyakumar_y garu
Hon’ble Minister for Health, Family Welfare & Medical Education, Andhra Pradesh
Sub: Alleged Promotion of Circumcision as a Routine Medical Practice in Andhra Pradesh
Sir,
It has come to my notice through credible sources that many medical practitioners… pic.twitter.com/n6bohF60is
— M. Nageswara Rao IPS (Retired) (@MNageswarRaoIPS) December 20, 2025
Speaking to ThePrint, M. Nageswara Rao said his letter was based on credible information he gathered from several medical practitioners as well as “some affected youth” in Andhra Pradesh.
The former IPS officer has called for an inquiry committee to conduct a thorough and impartial probe into the charges of circumcision on non-Muslim boys in government and private hospitals in Andhra Pradesh.
“There seems to be an organised racket, which can come to light with a thorough probe,” the 1986-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre told ThePrint. “This sensitive issue should be addressed with the seriousness and urgency it deserves, in the interests of public health, medical ethics, and communal harmony.”
He has also sought a review of medical records from the last 10 years or more to ascertain medical indications and justifications for circumcision procedures in each case.
“Examine the syllabi, teaching materials, and training modules of all medical colleges and institutions in Andhra Pradesh to ascertain whether such information is being imparted as part of the curriculum. Investigate the prevalence of such practices among medical practitioners in the state,” he wrote in his letter to Satya Kumar Yadav, seeking immediate corrective measures.
The measures that M. Nageswara Rao has listed in the letter include necessary amendments to medical education guidelines, if required. Launching a public awareness campaign to clarify the scientific and medical positions on circumcision in non-medical contexts has also been suggested.
In his response, Yadav, thanking Rao for bringing the matter to his notice, wrote, “The GoAP is committed to evidence-based medical practice, ethical standards, and communal harmony. I have taken note of your concerns, and the health department will examine the issue in accordance with established medical guidelines and legal provisions. Appropriate action, if required, will be taken after due review.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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