KEM hospital launches inquiry into MBBS student’s viral remarks

KEM Hospital has initiated an inquiry into MBBS student Sejal Pawar after her controversial remarks about cadavers during a comedy show went viral, sparking outrage. The panel will assess intent and appropriateness, while the student has issued an apology

Mumbai: The KEM Hospital has launched an internal inquiry into the controversial remarks made by its final-year MBBS student, Sejal Pawar, during a comic show, which have created intense furore and triggered public outrage online.

The two-member inquiry committee will look into her disrespectful and demeaning comments on male cadavers, made during comedian Pranit More’s show and submit a report likely by Friday evening or Saturday.

---

The show, recorded months ago, sparked controversy and drew public ire after a two-minute video clip went viral on social media. Her insensitive and insolent remarks on male cadavers, including a comparison of the size of human genitalia, triggered a barrage of anger online, prompting the Mumbai Police to lodge a case.

The inquiry panel, constituted by the institute, comes a day after the resident doctors association raised flags over an online campaign against Dr Sejal Pawar turning into personal vilification and targeted attacks.

The KEM MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors) in a statement on Thursday said that the remarks by the student were inappropriate, did not reflect the values expected of medical professionals, and had understandably caused hurt and concern.

According to information shared by the KEM authorities, Dr Anita Chalak, Warden of Under Graduates hostel and HOD of biochemistry department, and Dr Shraddha More, Assistant professor in medicine (handling the social media of KEM), are leading the probe into the entire controversy, triggered by Sejal Pawar’s inhumane remarks on cadavers.

They are going through one-hour footage of the programme to see and ascertain if she inadvertently made these remarks or was done in crass humour.

Meanwhile, medical experts say that the National Medical Commission has social media guidelines already in place, with regard to protocol associated with the deceased bodies and the dignity attached to them.

The panel is also expected to submit its observations to the KEM hospital Dean on the entire row, following which action may be taken against the doctor.

Meanwhile, the young doctor has expressed regret and issued an apology, saying that she understands the sensitivity around the subject, and she never meant to disrespect or demean dead bodies, meant for research work.