SONBHADRA (Uttar Pradesh): In a controversial move that has drawn widespread condemnation, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjeev Gond ordered the transfer of a physically challenged doctor after the latter allegedly failed to welcome him during a hospital visit. The incident occurred during the minister’s inauguration of a solar power plant at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dibulganj, located in his constituency Obra, Sonbhadra district.
A video capturing the incident has gone viral on social media, showing Dr. Ravi Singh, the medical superintendent of the hospital, seated across the minister as Mr. Gond makes a phone call to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), demanding the doctor’s transfer.
“Send Him to a Jungle”
In the video, Mr. Gond is heard asking, “Why have you kept him here? Is there no one else?” He then directs the CMO to transfer Dr. Singh “to some jungle,” alleging that the doctor didn’t know how to behave with people.
Despite Dr. Singh’s explanation that he was attending to a patient at the time of the minister’s arrival, Mr. Gond appeared unconvinced and criticized the doctor for not welcoming him personally.
When questioned by the media later, the minister said, “The doctor probably didn’t know I was coming. If he had known, I believe his behaviour would have been better.”
Opposition Slams Minister’s Remarks
The incident has sparked a sharp political backlash, with both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party accusing the BJP-led government of placing protocol above patient care.
Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh said, “The doctor was doing his duty. Instead of applauding his commitment to patient care, the minister is punishing him for not participating in a welcome ritual. Such ministers should be removed from office.”
Samajwadi Party’s Ashutosh Verma echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Ministers today seem more interested in grand welcomes than the real issues. Ordering a transfer for not being greeted—this highlights the misplaced priorities of the current government.”
Call for Inquiry and Action
The viral video and the minister’s comments have triggered widespread criticism from the public and medical community alike. Many have called for the Chief Minister’s intervention, demanding that Dr. Singh be protected from arbitrary action and that political leaders show greater respect for healthcare professionals, especially those working in resource-constrained settings.
As of now, no official transfer order has been issued. Health department officials have yet to comment on the matter.
