A video showing alleged exorcism and faith-healing activities inside the premises of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa has triggered widespread discussion over hospital management and the presence of superstitious practices in a government medical institution.

The incident reportedly took place on Friday outside the gate of the Chief Medical Officer’s office inside the hospital campus. Eyewitnesses said a young man suffering from chronic back pain was being treated through rituals, chanting, and traditional “jhadh-phoonk” practices in full public view. After videos and photographs of the incident surfaced on social media and local platforms, questions began to emerge regarding monitoring inside the hospital premises and whether such activities should be allowed in a public healthcare institution.

Rituals Inside Hospital

According to local sources, the young man identified as Agrasen Saket, a resident of Koludih village, has reportedly been suffering from severe back pain for the past five years. Family members claimed that he underwent treatment at several places and consulted multiple doctors, but did not receive lasting relief from the condition. Frustrated by the prolonged illness and lack of improvement, the family eventually brought him to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa for treatment. However, instead of relying only on medical consultation, some people accompanying the patient allegedly began performing faith-healing rituals near the CMO office gate inside the hospital premises. Witnesses present at the scene said chants were recited while ritualistic gestures were performed around the patient.

Crowd Gathers at Spot

As the activity continued in the open area near the office complex, a crowd quickly gathered around the spot. Several patients and attendants waiting nearby were seen watching the incident with curiosity and concern.

Many people recorded videos and photographs on their mobile phones, which later circulated widely across local social media groups and news platforms.

Visitors at the hospital said they were surprised to witness such practices inside one of the region’s largest government healthcare institutions.

Some attendants questioned how ritual-based treatment could openly continue inside the premises without intervention from hospital staff or security personnel.

Family Defends Action

Relatives of Agrasen Saket defended their decision, saying the patient had been struggling with continuous pain for years despite medical treatment.

According to family members, they had already spent considerable time and money on medicines and consultations but failed to see significant recovery.

They claimed that local traditional healers suggested spiritual remedies, leading them to try faith-based methods alongside hospital treatment.

The family maintained that they were acting out of desperation and hope for relief rather than rejecting medical science entirely.

Questions Over Superstition

The incident has reignited debate over the persistence of superstition and faith-healing practices even within modern healthcare spaces. Public health experts often warn that relying solely on unverified ritual practices can delay proper diagnosis and medical care, particularly in cases involving chronic pain and neurological disorders.

At the same time, observers say such incidents also highlight the frustration faced by patients dealing with long-term illnesses, especially when treatment does not provide quick improvement. Local residents and social activists said government hospitals should ensure scientific and evidence-based treatment environments while also increasing awareness among rural communities about modern healthcare practices.

Hospital Management Under Lens

The presence of alleged exorcism activities near an important administrative section of the hospital has also raised questions over campus monitoring and security arrangements. People familiar with the hospital premises said the area near the CMO office usually witnesses heavy movement of patients, staff members, and visitors throughout the day. Critics argued that hospital authorities should have intervened immediately once the activity began attracting public attention. Some residents also pointed out that allowing such incidents to take place openly could affect public confidence in institutional healthcare systems.

As of Friday evening, hospital authorities had not issued any detailed official statement regarding the viral video or the circumstances surrounding the incident. The video has generated mixed reactions across Rewa district and nearby regions. While some social media users criticised the presence of superstition inside a government hospital, others expressed sympathy toward the patient and his family. Several residents said people in rural areas often combine traditional beliefs with medical treatment due to cultural practices and emotional pressure linked to long-term illness.

Need for Awareness

Health experts say chronic back pain can arise from multiple medical conditions, including spinal issues, muscular disorders, nerve-related complications, or lifestyle factors. Doctors generally advise timely medical diagnosis, physiotherapy, pain management, and specialised consultation instead of relying on unverified treatment methods. The incident at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital has once again highlighted the need for stronger public awareness campaigns around scientific healthcare and the risks associated with superstition-based practices. Meanwhile, discussions continue over whether hospital management should strengthen surveillance and issue guidelines to prevent similar incidents from occurring inside medical campuses in the future.