Cuttack: Following public outcry over Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari being allegedly forced to dance by a social worker inside the ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, the hospital authorities have constituted a committee to probe into the matter.
The committee, chaired by the Head of the Medicine department of SCB Hospital Prof Jayant Panda, has Administrative Officer Abinash Rout and Prof BK Behera as members. “We will summon sisters, attendants and the social activist who had accompanied Pujari from Koraput to SCBMCH for interrogation. After inquiry we will submit the reports to the hospital Superintendent,” TNIE quoted Prof Panda as saying.
A video had gone viral on Thursday showing a female social activist dancing with tribal agricultural activist Pujari to music being played in the background in the ICU of the hospital.
Pujari was admitted to SCB Hospital as her condition deteriorated due to kidney-related ailments on August 25. However, she was discharged on August 29 after she fully recovered and was able to do normal activities. While she was being brought out of the ICU that the social activist Mamata Behera forced her to dance.
Later, Pujari told the media that she did not know the social activist personally. “I was forced to dance by her while coming out of the hospital after treatment. Despite saying no, she forced me to dance with her and recorded the video,” she said.
Pujari also said she was not feeling well after the incident. “I was scared and got tired due to the dancing. This has further deteriorated my health,” she added.
The members of the Paraja Samaja of undivided Koraput also condemned the incident and threatened to launch a protest if actions are not taken against the social activist.
Following the issue, the authorities of SCB Hospital MCH ordered a probe by the committee.
