Shilpa Shetty urges people to act against those attacking healthcare workers

Her message was part of 'Jeetega India Jeetenge Hum' initiative

73-Shilpa-Shetty-Kundra (File) Shilpa Shetty Kundra | AFP

Even as the country is battling the pandemic COVID-19, it is also waging a war against false information and rumours spread through WhatsApp and other social media platforms, and discrimination and even attacks on healthcare workers.

Arrests have been reported from various parts of the country of people who took to social media platforms to spread misinformation and hatred over the pandemic. Recently, there was an incident of an orthopaedic surgeon burying his friend, a neurosurgeon who died of COVID-19, at night using his bare hands and a shovel at a crematorium with the help of two hospital ward boys after the undertakers fled when a mob, protesting the interment, attacked them with bricks, stones, bottles and sticks and chased them away, in Tamil Nadu.

In the wake of such developments, Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has come out with a message, urging people to stop spread of fake news and misinformation and take steps to protect doctors and nurses. In an Instagram message, as part of 'Jeetega India Jeetenge Hum' initiative, which intends to create awareness about the attacks on healthcare workers, the actor urged people to take some time out to recall the sacrifices being made by healthcare workers to curb the spread of the pandemic.

She made an appeal to people to take steps to stop the violence against healthcare workers if they come across any such incidents. "Please raise your voice for the safety of these people who are risking their lives to save us," she said.

Shilpa Shetty was nominated to the 'Jeetega India Jeetenge Hum' initiative by fellow actor Raveena Tandon.

"To all my fellow citizens, please look out and stand up for the warriors who are tirelessly working round the clock to keep our community safe. It’s a humble request to please treat these heroes with respect, debunk myths and false rumours, and stop the spread of fake news at your own levels. Let’s do our bit too! It’s time to stand united against this pandemic," Shilpa Shetty wrote.