Indian hospital says to treat corona-free Muslims only

ISLAMABAD: A cancer hospital in Indian state Utter Pradesh (UP) city Meerut has put out an advertisement saying it would treat Muslims only when they produce a report showing they have tested negative for coronavirus.

The state is run by a BJP’s Hindu priest chief minister and according to the newspaper advertisement released by the Valentis Cancer Hospital also said that most Hindus and Jains are “misers” and asked them to contribute to the prime minister's fund to help fight coronavirus.

Facing flak on social media, the hospital came up with another advertisement on Sunday, carrying an insignificant apology. The original advertisement blamed the Muslim Tableeghi Jamaat whose congregation in Delhi last month was made victim by declaring it by some RSS zealots as a coronavirus hotspot for spreading the disease in the country and then set conditions for admitting Muslim patients.

They must get themselves and their attendants tested for coronavirus and bring the report along, the advertisement said.

The Police have claimed that it has registered a case against hospital manager Amit Jain. Asked to comment on the controversial advertisement, Meerut's Chief Medical Officer Raj Kumar said, “This is certainly wrong, and we are sending a notice to the administration of the hospital concerned.” He said that further action will be taken after a reply is received from them.

Referring to the coronavirus pandemic, the cancer hospital said it wanted people of all religions to fight the emergency together. The new advertisement said the hospital was wrong in calling Hindus and Jains “misers”.

The media has reported that the hospital administration could not be contacted despite several attempts.