Moradabad mayor trolled for 'faking blood donation' on PM's birthday
What's the story
Vinod Agarwal, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the mayor of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, has been criticized on social media for allegedly pretending to donate blood at a camp organized for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. A video from the event shows Agarwal leaving the blood donation room before any blood could be collected or his blood pressure checked. This incident has sparked widespread online backlash against him.
Viral reaction
Video of alleged fake donation sparks online backlash
The video, captured outside a local BJP office on September 17, has drawn numerous negative reactions online. One user commented on the video saying, "Staging a fake blood donation on the PM's birthday shows just how hollow both this politician and the PM's brand of leadership have become." The user further criticized Agarwal and PM Modi for focusing on "orchestrated gimmicks to fool the public" instead of addressing real issues.
Defense statement
Agarwal responds to allegations, cites health concerns
In response to the viral video and ensuing criticism, Agarwal claimed that this was a conspiracy by rivals to defame him. He explained that he had intended to donate blood but was advised against it due to his diabetes. "On September 17, a blood donation camp was organized by the youth wing of the BJP...The doctor asked me if I had any disease...I told him that I have diabetes and two years ago, I had a heart problem," Agarwal said.
Donation guidelines
Blood donation protocols clarified by medical professional
Following the incident, Dr. Sangeeta Gupta, Chief Superintendent Joint at District Hospital Moradabad, provided clarity on blood donation protocols. She stated that any healthy individual between the ages of 18 to 55 years can donate blood. "We carry out various kinds of blood tests on the donor to see that infected blood does not get transfused to anyone else," she said, adding that only a person with normal blood-sugar levels can donate blood.