'Yogi Maharaj' return my job, urges Dr Kafeel Khan

Dr Kafeel Khan was released from a Mathura jail on September 2, after the Allahabad high court set aside his detention under the National Security Act and Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal of the Uttar Pradesh government against the Allahabad High Court order. Speaking to ETV Bharat, Khan has urged the chief minister Yogi Adityanath to give him back his job in the state medical services. A report by Tauseef Sheikh.

New Delhi: As the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal of the Uttar Pradesh government against the Allahabad High Court order quashing Dr. Kafeel Khan's detention under the National Security Act (NSA), Khan has once again urged the chief minister Yogi Adityanath to give him back his job in the state medical services.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Gorakhpur pediatrician said, "Instead of arresting the real culprits behind the BRD oxygen tragedy, the UP government is saving them. Even the Allahabad High Court in its orders had ruled out negligence charges against me. The state government inquiry report has also stated that no medical negligence was found from my side."

He further said, "A narrative is being propagated across the country that all the problems, whether it's economy or any other issue, is because of one particular religion. Dr. Kafeel is a face of that community and by torturing me they want to send a message that one can have to face such a level of trouble."

To recall, Kafeel Khan, a pediatrician at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, was suspended on charges of medical negligence in 2017, when 63 children died apparently because of lack of oxygen.

Subsequently, he was arrested on January 29 for allegedly making the "provocative speech" during an anti-CAA protest at Aligarh Muslim University and lodged at Mathura district jail. Dr. Khan walked out of jail in early September after the Allahabad High Court quashed his detention under the NSA and ordered his immediate release.

"I'm a doctor and I never want to look back...whatever happened...through ETV Bharat, I want to urge honorable chief minister Yogi Adityanath Maharaj to please give back my job. In the time of coronavirus pandemic, I want to serve my country and treat the ill children," said Khan.

On being asked about his recent meeting with Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Khan said once a doctor, always a doctor and as of now, I have no plans of joining Congress. He further said Priyanka Gandhi helped him on the humanitarian ground when he came out of Mathura jail and offered me to come to Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

Dr. Kafeel Khan said that he is getting death threats due to which he is not going to Gorakhpur and feels unsafe in his hometown.

"I have written a letter to Gorakhpur DM and SSP and if the government will not provide security, we will approach the court, after getting the security I will return back to home," Kafeel added.