Cuttack (Odisha): Padma Awardee Kamala Pujari (71) who was admitted to SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack for kidney-related ailments was allegedly forced to dance inside the intensive care unit (ICU) before the discharge. “I never wanted to dance but was forced. I refused repeatedly, but she did not listen. I had to dance. I was sick and very tired,” the Padma Awardee told ETV Bharat.
A video has gone viral where Mamata Behera, a social worker is seen dancing with Kamala Pujari in the ICU with music playing in the background. Defending herself, Mamata was quoted in media reports as saying “Kamala Pujari was having a mental breakdown due to her illness and lost hope that she would survive. My intension was to make her mentally strong and help her get well soon.” ETV Bharat could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage.
The Paraja tribal community in Odisha has condemned the act and expressed their anger. The tribal community association chief Harish Muduli said they will protest on the streets if the state government did not act against the social worker. Kamala Pujari, conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019 for promoting organic farming and preserving over 100 varieties of indigenous seeds of different crops including paddy.
