New Delhi: A video showing a technician at Panna blood bank in Madhya Pradesh questioning the suitability of a blood donor based on religious identity has gone viral on social media. According to reports, the video dates back to June. The video has also been reffered by Rajya Sabha MP and Congress Digvijaya Singh.
‘Muslim blood will not be transfused into a Hindu’
In the video, a man from Nardha village in Panna, aged around 58, who works as a utensil vendor, is seen at the blood bank. His mother Rambai was hospitalised and needed a blood transfusion. A friend of the vendor Suresh Sonkar, who is Muslim, agreed to donate blood to Rambai. However, the technician identified as Ravikant Sharma is heard questioning whether the blood donated by a Muslim is appropriate for a Hindu recipient. He allegedly said, “Muslim blood will not be transfused into a Hindu. Go away from here.”
A warning and a notice for lab technician
Dr. Alok Gupta, the civil surgeon at the district hospital, confirmed that the incident occurred on June 22. He said that the technician had been issued a notice and asked to provide an explanation. According to the technician’s response, he had inquired about the donor’s identity when he learned the donor was Muslim. The technician asked for clarification about the donor’s religion in the context of the recipient being Hindu. Dr. Gupta explained that sometimes professional blood donors are involved, prompting such queries. Once it was confirmed that the donor was a friend of the recipient the blood was accepted.
Dr. Gupta noted that while the technician received a notice and a warning, no further action was taken against him. The case is currently pending with the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO).
