Notice Issued To Social Activist Involved In Forcing Unwell Kamala Pujari To Dance

A day after Cuttack's SCB Medical College Hospital submitted its report on Padma Sri awardee Kamala Pujari being allegedly "forced to dance" by a social worker during her discharge from the health facility, the Koraput district administration on Monday issued notices to two involved for personal appearance.

In the notice, Jeypore sub-collector Debabar Pradhan had directed the duo to submit their replies in person by September 6.

Notice issued to social activist

The notices were issued to social worker Mamata Behera and the official attendant Rajeeb Hial to personally appear before Sub-Collector at 10 am on Tuesday and register their response in connection to the row that erupted over Kamala Pujari (72) being "forced to dance" inside the ICU of SCB medical college and hospital at Cuttack.

The incident came to light after a viral video showed a female social activist dancing with Pujari to music being played in the background. Members of the Paraja Samaja condemned the incident alleging that the social worker forced Pujari to dance inside the ICU.

Following the issue, authorities of SCB Medical College and Hospital ordered a probe by constituting an inquiry committee to look into the matter. The SCBMCH Administrative Officer Abinash Rout and Prof BK Behera were the members of the probe panel chaired by the Head of the Medicine department Prof Jayant Panda.

The woman who allegedly forced her to dance introduced herself as Pujari's friend to the hospital staff in the presence of the artist and her attendants, the report said, adding that for this reason she was allowed to stay in the special cabin. Stating that they were not aware of the incident, the panel report further added that it was not possible for them to keep a watch inside the cabin except for a patient's medical needs.

“I never wanted to dance but was forced to do it. I repeatedly denied, but she (Mamata Behera) did not listen. I was sick and got tired,”  Pujari told television channels in Koraput district from where she hails.

Pujari, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019 for promoting organic farming and preserving over 100 varieties of indigenous seeds of different crops including paddy, was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack with kidney problems. She was discharged on August 29.

Suggested Reading: Padma Shri Kamala Pujari Allegedly Forced To Dance In Cuttack Hospital, Probe Underway