In a troubling incident at a government hospital in Panna, Madhya Pradesh, a doctor refused to accept a Muslim man as a blood donor for a critically ill Hindu woman, citing religious differences.
The incident, which has caused widespread outrage, was captured in a video that surfaced on social media on September 8.
According to reports, Pawan Sonkar had brought his Muslim friend to donate blood after doctors urgently requested it for his ailing mother. However, the doctor in charge refused the donation, stating that "Muslim blood cannot be given to a Hindu patient" and expressing concerns about the repercussions of doing so.
The brief video shows the conversation between Sonkar and the doctor, whose remarks have sparked widespread condemnation online. Many social media users pointed out that blood has no religion, and a person's faith should never be a barrier to life-saving medical treatment.
Critics argue that such incidents expose growing religious intolerance in the country, even in situations where medical aid is involved.
Reactions on social media reflect the deep disappointment felt by many, with one user commenting, "The colour of blood is red, but in our country, it is now seen as Hindu or Muslim."
Another wrote, "It’s shocking that we’ve come to a point where Hindus cannot receive Muslim blood."