Punjab: Hospital V-C resigns day after 'public humiliation' by minister
The vice-chancellor (V-C) of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Dr. Raj Bahadur, in Faridkot, Punjab, resigned from his position just one day after being publicly embarrassed on camera by Chetan Singh Jouramajra, the Health Minister of Punjab. Dr. Bahadur sent his resignation letter to the state government on Saturday. Opposition leaders in Punjab have criticized the minister's actions as "cheap theatrics."
What exactly happened?
After receiving concerns about the cleanliness of hospital wards, the state's health minister, joined by the press and cameras, entered the government hospital and asked Dr. Bahadur to lie down on a patient's bed on Friday. As soon as he gets out of the bed, Jouramajra is reportedly heard saying to the doctor, "It's all in your hands, it's all in your hands."
More details regarding the incident
At this point, someone lifts the mattress off the bed and draws Dr. Bahadur's attention to its poor condition, further embarrassing the top official. Afterward, the minister requests the doctor to show him the conditions of the stores in the hospital. Following the incident, Congress leader Pargat Singh criticized Jouramajra's action. "This type of mob behavior will only demoralize our medical staff," he stated.
Here's the video of the incident
CM Mann earlier sacked health minister over corruption charges
To recall, in May, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ousted the then Health Minister Vijay Singla from the cabinet after strong evidence of corruption was allegedly found against him. The Punjab Police was ordered to file a case against him. Following Mann's unprecedented decision, the CM's Office stated Singla "was demanding a 1% commission from officials for contracts" and "concrete evidence was found against him."
