A controversy erupted after a Muslim woman, Shama Parveen, alleged that a doctor at the district hospital in Jaunpur refused to treat her during labour on religious grounds. On October 1, a video circulated on social media showing Shama claiming that the doctor told her, “I will not treat a Muslim woman. I will not conduct your delivery,” and instructed the nurse not to take her to the operation theatre, asking her family to seek care elsewhere.
Chief Medical Superintendent Dr. Mahendra Gupta said he was surprised by the allegations and sought an explanation from the doctor. “The doctor denied making any such remark based on religion. An inquiry has been conducted into the matter, and the higher authorities have been informed,” he said.
Meanwhile, police registered an FIR against two local journalists, Mayank Srivastava and Mohammad Usman, who allegedly circulated the video. The CMS filed a complaint at Kotwali police station, alleging that the journalists “forcibly” entered the labour room, filmed the video, and caused damage to hospital property.
The incident drew strong political reactions. Samajwadi Party MLA Ragini Sonkar called the case shameful, saying, “It is the result of the communal tension spread across the state. No woman in labour pain would lie about being denied treatment.” She criticized the government for filing a case against journalists instead of the doctor and said she would meet the district magistrate and, if needed, raise the matter in the Assembly.
Congress leader Vikesh Upadhyay Vikki condemned the incident, saying, “It is extremely shameful that a doctor, who has taken an oath to serve all sections of society, refused treatment on religious grounds. The victim has no caste or religion in such situations. Strict action should be taken.”
BJP spokesperson Avnish Tyagi denied the allegations, calling them baseless and aimed at dividing society. “Public welfare schemes have been doled out to all sections of society on the lines of government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ motto. There is no discrimination in the Yogi Adityanath-led government,” he said.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.
