AIIMS-Rishikesh doctor booked for distributing ‘Eid sweets’ day after Pahalgam attack

DEHRADUN: A 27-year-old junior resident doctor at AIIMS-Rishikesh has been charged with "promoting enmity between different groups" after he allegedly distributed sweets at the hospital on April 23, a day after 26 people were killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam. The complaint was filed by Rajendra Pandey, Rishikesh district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who alleged that the act "hurt people's sentiments" and was "suspected to be a celebration of the heinous killing of tourists". When contacted, Pandey told TOI that the doctor distributed sweets to nursing staff and colleagues in the trauma centre's emergency room. "When one of the staffers asked him why he was distributing sweets, he said they were for Eid. However, Eid was celebrated a month ago and it seemed odd," he said. Pandey added that they held a demonstration on the hospital premises in late April, demanding action from the hospital administration. Naresh Uniyal, a Bajrang Dal member who accompanied Pandey to lodge the complaint, said they wrote to the DGP after there was no response from the hospital management. "We also informed the CM's office, as the act reflected anti-national sentiment. A case was finally filed on Friday," he said.The FIR against the doctor (name withheld as allegations are being probed) was filed at Rishikesh Kotwali police station under BNS sections 196(1)(a) and 196(1)(b) (promoting enmity and disharmony between different religious groups), and 197(1)(a) (making unfounded insinuations against a group). The doctor, who is originally from West Bengal and has since returned home on the advice of his seniors, has denied all charges. "All allegations about me distributing sweets to mark the Pahalgam killings are not only baseless but deeply hurtful," he told TOI. "I came back to the hospital on April 8 after celebrating Eid with my family. On April 23, while working in the emergency room, a nursing officer requested sweets and biryani in celebration of Eid.I agreed as it had been a friendly tradition at AIIMS to share sweets or delicacies on festivals or personal occasions. So, I ordered sweets and food for the nursing staff. Some didn't eat, but most enjoyed it." He added that a female doctor had distributed sweets just a day earlier to celebrate the birth of her child.The doctor said that on April 25, a nursing staff member informed him that "rumours" were circulating about the intent behind the sweet distribution. "I immediately informed the administrative officer and other seniors about it. I even confronted the person suspected of spreading the rumour, but he denied it. The next day, police summoned both of us, and it was decided that the matter would be closed amicably." He said he left for home afterward and only later learned that a formal case had been filed. "It has caused me immense mental stress, and I am planning to lodge a defamation complaint against those responsible," he added.