Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a private hospital in Telangana’s Karimnagar has courted controversy after it allegedly refused to treat a Muslim patient, according to reports.
The incident came to light after an audio clip of the telephonic conversation purportedly between an employee of the children’s hospital and a woman went viral on social platforms.
In the audio conversation, the woman can be heard asking if the doctor is available. The staff member replies: “The doctor is there, but he will not be treating Muslims”. THE WEEK could not independently verify the authenticity of the conversation.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has urged police to verify the audio clip and take action.
“Request you to verify & take strict action against this ‘communal virus’ that has now spread to essential healthcare providers. If we don't contain it in time, it'll only endanger innocent Muslim lives,” he tweeted, tagging Director General of Police and Karimnagar Police Commissioner.
Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) leader Amjedullah Khan has tweeted the audio clip, and said he was shocked to hear this. He urged Municipal Administration Minister K.T. Rama Rao to direct police to conduct an ‘independent’ investigation into the incident.
Karimnagar police said they have not received any complaint so far regarding the issue.
Karimnagar is one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the state. The latest incident came amid reports of Islamophobia in the country especially after the controversial Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi. The event had resulted in a spike in the coronavirus cases in India after many of those attended it tested positive for the virus.
