When an honoree of the Padma Shri was being treated at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, a social worker allegedly made her dance. 71-year-old Kamala Pujari was hospitalised for treatment of a kidney condition.
The Padma Shri recipient is a member of the Paraja tribe in Odisha, and they have filed a complaint against the social worker who had Ms. Pujari dance in the government hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).
Social media users shared a video of the elderly person dancing in the hospital extensively. It is still unable to independently confirm the video’s veracity.
Before Ms. Pujari was released from the hospital on Monday, the social worker Mamata Behera was also spotted dancing with her.
“I was made to dance even though I didn’t want to. I denied numerous times, but Matata Behera would not pay attention. I felt ill and exhausted, “In her hometown of Koraput, Ms. Pujari spoke with reporters.
Harish Muduli, the head of the tribal community group, warned that if the state government did not take action against the social worker, there would be a protest.
For promoting organic farming and protecting over 100 varieties of indigenous seeds, Ms. Pujari was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019.
She was accepted into Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital. She had received the chief minister’s best wishes for a quick recovery.
According to hospital staff, Ms. Pujari was admitted to a special cabin rather than the intensive care unit.
Hospital registrar (administration) Dr. Abinash Rout said, “The woman who is accused of making Pujari dance used to visit her at the special cabin.”
Rajeeb Hial, Ms. Pujari’s assistant, claimed she was unaware of Ms. Behera, who is frequently pictured taking pictures with the Padma Shri recipient on social media.
Ms. Behera said that she merely intended to “reject Pujari’s laziness” and that she wasn’t doing maliciously.
The Scheduled Tribes category includes the Paraja community, which makes about 4% of Odisha’s tribal population.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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