The deadly Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, which has claimed at least a dozen lives, is spawning not just medical research and operative protocols but also new political revelations.
Days after Gorakhpur 'hero' Dr Kafeel Khan expressed his desire to help treat Nipah victims in Kerala, the Kerala government has apparently had a rethink on welcoming him. The government, which had initially welcomed him, reportedly asked him to cancel his visit on Friday. Khan was touted as a hero for trying to save the lives of infants at Gorakhpur's BRD medical college in August last year before he was jailed by the Yogi Adityanth government.
Reacting to the development, Khan said he is 'deeply saddened' by the Kerala government's request to hold his travel plans. Khan had offered to volunteer in Nipah-affected areas and said he would go back only after ridding the place of the illness.
"Being a socialist is a difficult choice in the current political scenario," Khan told Onmanorama.
The Left Front government in Kerala had responded swiftly to Dr Khan's offer and even sent him two tickets to fly down. The government's act was seen as a political statement of accepting, endorsing and often glorifying things shunned by the BJP government at the Centre and in various states.
Now, it was unclear as to what prompted the Kerala government to ask Khan to cancel the visit.
Opposition parties including the BJP and the Congress had said that the the ‘state government was playing politics’ by giving 'promotion' to a doctor who was an ‘accused’ in a BJP-ruled state. Khan’s opposition to the Adityanath government in UP and his nine-month imprisonment had hit the headlines.
Khan said he had been asked by the Kerala chief minister's office to cancel the visit. Sources said Khan had been asked to wait as experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences were visiting affected areas. Khan said his queries on any probable Central intervention went unanswered.
In a post on Facebook, Khan wrote “I have been informed by the Government of Kerala to hold my travel plans to Kochi for 2-3 days. So, I am cancelling my reservations...”
“I know many of you would be feeling disappointed but I am helpless as I have tried my level best to render help in such crisis...”
“I know that a state like Kerala has the best healthcare infrastructure and manpower to deal with such crises but I just wanted to add my services as it could be morale boosting for a lot of people. Even, I wrote to the Director General of Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh about my visit. I had written that post after 'sheri' on 22/05/18 when probably all the humans who are observing Roza are at there purest as I just felt bad for people who are suffering from that disease (sic)."
"It had been a real emotional time since that post as I had to convince my family members to expose myself to Nipah virus but my mother finally agreed and said ‘I got u after 9 months and again you are leaving me? I give u permission to go as you are going there to save somebody’s life only. I have to think as a Mother (sic)."
“(sic)But it seems being a SOCIALIST is a difficult choice considering the current affairs of our country. But in spite of such constraints I will not change my Motto and will keep pitching in with help wherever required."
"I am now on call to go if required,” he added.
-Via Onmanorama