A controversy over an “Rs 370 biryani” comment made by an audience member on comedian Pranit More’s show has sparked debate within India’s medical community on the dignity owed to body donors and cadavers used in medical education.
Dr Sejal Pawar, identified as the audience member whose remarks triggered the controversy, is now facing an FIR over the incident. She has since issued a public apology and restricted access to her Instagram account by making it private.
Pawar, whose Instagram bio earlier identified her as an MBBS doctor posted at KEM Hospital Mumbai, responded to the backlash in a public statement.
She wrote: “I genuinely want to address a clip from a recent video that has been circulating. Having watched it back, I completely understand why people were upset by what I said. The topic is a sensitive one, and my comments came across in a way they shouldn’t have. While there was never any intention to disrespect anyone, I recognise that impact matters more than intent.”
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Friday issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it described as the insensitive and disrespectful portrayal of cadavers and body donors by Pawar.
The intervention by the doctors’ body has broadened the discussion beyond an isolated social media controversy to wider questions of ethics, medical education and public responsibility.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, national spokesperson of FAIMA, speaking to The Tribune, described cadavers as the “silent teachers” of medicine. He said they play a vital role in shaping competent and compassionate doctors and warned that portraying cadavers or body donors in a manner intended for entertainment undermines the dignity of those who made the selfless decision to donate their bodies for medical education and research.
