If you have been following the news, you would know that much of the Indian Healthcare System is in shambles. It has fallen terribly short of providing Covid-19 patients, the number of which is surging by the hour, with the necessary means to battle the virus. Oxygen cylinders, ventilators, hospital beds, medicines, vaccines, etc. have all fallen short. Desperate cries of help are dominating social media timelines. To say it is heartbreaking to witness it all will be an understatement.
Speaking of people seeking help, a man in Madhya Pradesh whose mother was admitted to the hospital was helplessly trying to search for a oxygen cylinder. Union Minister of State for Culture, Tourism of India, Prahlad Patel visited that very hospital, District Hospital Damoh, and happened to meet the man, reports News18.
In a video, the man can be seen asking for help and complaining against the hospital authorities for the lack of oxygen cylinders. He supposedly uses certain expletives while addressing the hospital after which the Minister loses his calm and goes on to threaten to slap the man.
“If you talk like this, I’ll give you two slaps,” the Union Minister tells the man.
According to Times Now, the man faced harassment for 36 hours while trying to find oxygen cylinders. Responding to the Union Minister, the helpless man said that he’s willing to get beaten up but he wants oxygen for his mother.
Here’s a video capturing the entire incident:
The Union Minister’s reaction sparked massive outrage online. Many people accused him of a “sheer lack of empathy”, of being “arrogant”, and said that his behavior is unbecoming of a leader. Have a look at some of the reactions here:
Arrogant Union Minister Mr. Prahlad Patel doesn’t want to hear the public those who are not getting oxygen cylinder n the man who is pleading has been replied by the minister “ls Tarhy Bolega To Do Khayega”. What non sence is going on n they are behaving with the public like this
— Prem Bakshi (@PremBakshi10) April 22, 2021
This is the level of arrogance of our leaders. Pure shame. @sambitswaraj jara tweet kijiye is baare me kuch. @RubikaLiyaquat jara poochiye sawaal. https://t.co/gNRBl1LLHV
— Ashvini Vyas (@ashvinivyas) April 23, 2021
A lesson for him for all those who voted and elected him as their leader and representative. https://t.co/Lff1J3Vd73
— B.M.S.Khan (@BMSKhan) April 23, 2021
I hope karma slaps him twice as hard. https://t.co/qZia0fk5TA
— Burhani Taher Saifuddin (@BhaadeKaTattoo) April 23, 2021
These are the people we have elected to lead us! Pathetic! https://t.co/QxbFco3WIn
— Himadri Ghildiyal (@HimadriGhildiy1) April 22, 2021
The fuckin arrogance of power. Moronery unlimited https://t.co/0Pk2KBE0V6
— Ganesh Athreyaa (@athreyaa) April 22, 2021
Thappad se darr nahi lagta saab, COVID se lagta hai..
You have anyway made mockery of our faith, hit us slaps too, but give us the needed things to stay alive https://t.co/ZF7Uco0xFf
— Suvajit Mustafi (@RibsGully) April 22, 2021
Shame on these politicians. They should be removed from the post where they cannot perform their duties. https://t.co/NJnJVcPzf9
— Rolly Singh12 (@Roll1210) April 22, 2021
What do you think of this incident? Tell us.
Cover image: source.