Medical experts stress that circumcision in clinical practice follows strict indications, not blanket recommendations. Modern healthcare standards require circumcision to be performed within a regulated framework, with clear indications, informed consent and adherence to surgical protocols.
Published Dec 23, 2025 | 8:15 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 23, 2025 | 8:15 PM
[LTR] M Nageshwar Rao, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav
Synopsis: Doctors in Andhra Pradesh have rejected former CBI director M Nageswara Rao’s allegation that circumcisions on non-Muslim boys are being carried out to promote a “religious or communal agenda”, saying the procedure is performed only when medically necessary. Rao has written to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav seeking a review of circumcision cases. Doctors say the procedure is a targeted intervention recommended for specific clinical conditions and stress that it is not guided by religious considerations.
Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director M Nageswara Rao has courted controversy by accusing medical practitioners in Andhra Pradesh of conducting circumcisions on non-Muslim boys as part of an “organised effort” to promote a “particular religious or communal agenda”.
Writing to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, he demanded that a committee review medical records from government and private hospitals over the past decade to verify the medical justification for each circumcision performed on non-Muslim boys.
He also called for an examination of syllabi, teaching materials and training modules across all medical colleges in the State to determine whether circumcision is being promoted as a routine practice.
In response, the Minister promised to examine the issue “in accordance with established medical guidelines and legal provisions”.
“The Government of Andhra Pradesh 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,” Yadav said in a post on X.
Doctors, however, have pushed back against Rao’s claims and told South First that circumcision is a targeted medical intervention performed only when clinically justified, regardless of a patient’s religious background.
“It is not viewed through a religious or non-religious lens. People from all backgrounds come for the procedure based on medical need,” a doctor practising in Visakhapatnam said.
Medical experts stress that circumcision in clinical practice follows strict indications, not blanket recommendations. A Hyderabad-based urologist outlined the specific conditions that warrant the procedure.
“One of the most common medical indications for circumcision is phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin cannot be retracted over the glans penis,” he explained.
“Phimosis can cause pain, difficulty in urination, recurrent infections and problems with hygiene. When conservative treatments such as topical medications or manual retraction fail, circumcision becomes a medically justified intervention to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.”
Patients experiencing repeated urinary tract infections despite appropriate medical treatment may also be advised circumcision to reduce bacterial colonisation under the foreskin.
Persistent infections can escalate into serious urological complications, making surgical intervention necessary in select cases.
Circumcision is also recommended in patients with recurrent balanitis and balanoposthitis, conditions involving repeated inflammation and infection of the glans penis and foreskin.
“These infections often cause pain, swelling, discharge and difficulty with urination. Such conditions are particularly common in diabetic patients, where elevated blood sugar levels promote the accumulation of smegma, a whitish waste material that collects between the foreskin and glans,” the urologist said.
“This environment encourages bacterial and fungal growth, increasing the likelihood of repeated infections. In cases where hygiene measures and medical therapy fail, circumcision serves as a definitive solution.”
In paediatric patients, circumcision may form part of broader urological management following treatment for conditions such as posterior urethral valves, where abnormal folds in the urethra obstruct urine flow.
However, doctors said such procedures stem from careful clinical assessment rather than routine practice.
The urologist also emphasised that circumcision must be avoided in children with hypospadias or epispadias—congenital anomalies in which the urethral opening is located in abnormal positions.
In hypospadias, the opening lies on the underside of the penis, while in epispadias it appears on the upper surface. The foreskin plays a vital role in future reconstructive surgery for these conditions.
While circumcision can technically be performed by trained general surgeons, urologists, paediatric surgeons and plastic surgeons, recognising contraindications requires experience and a sound understanding of anatomy. In paediatric cases in particular, evaluation by specialists ensures that essential tissue is preserved for future reconstructive needs.
Improper procedures carry risks such as bleeding, infection, scarring and functional issues. Patients who develop complications often require referral to specialists, making corrective surgery more complex than if appropriate decisions had been made at the outset.
“The issue is not merely who can perform the procedure, but who understands when it should not be done. Circumcision may appear technically simple, but it requires informed clinical judgement,” the urologist warned.
“Surgeons must identify anatomical variations and underlying conditions before proceeding. Failure to do so can result in avoidable harm.”
Removing the foreskin prematurely can severely complicate or limit corrective procedures, increasing surgical difficulty and potentially affecting functional outcomes.
The urologist stressed that doctors are obligated to act in the patient’s best interest, avoid unnecessary procedures, and preserve future treatment options, regardless of religious affiliation.
“Circumcision, like any surgical intervention, must be guided by evidence, ethics and patient welfare rather than assumptions or generalisations,” they stated.
Modern healthcare standards require circumcision to be performed within a regulated framework, with clear indications, informed consent and adherence to surgical protocols. The absence of these safeguards increases patient risk.
“In essence, circumcision in medical practice is a targeted intervention, not a default one. It serves a clear purpose in specific conditions, demands careful evaluation, and requires restraint when contraindications exist,” the urologist explained.
“Proper training, informed judgement and adherence to medical guidelines remain essential to ensure that the procedure benefits patients without causing preventable harm.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
