Jammu: The government on Tuesday reinstated the services of a doctor for posting an “anti-government” comment on Facebook.
Dr Amit Kumar, the registrar of Government Medical College Jammu, had defied a government order that bars its employees from posting anti-government content on social media. However, he apologized later and also feigned ignorance about information on the SRO.
GMC principal Sunanda Raina told INS that the decision to reinstate the doctor was taken after he apologised for violating the government order.
On March 10, Health and Medical Education Minister Bali Bhagat said on Facebook that he had inaugurated a new lift at the hospital. The doctor commented on the minister’s Facebook post, saying it was not a new lift.
In an order dated March 15, the college administration said it had removed the doctor as he had “used his personal social media account and commented with the intent of provoking readers”.
Kumar refuted the allegations and said that he had only pointed out that the minister had inaugurated an old lift.
According to the SRO, government employees are barred from using their personal social media account in a manner that could reasonably be construed to imply that the government endorses or sanction their personal activities.
Former Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah wondered how ministers in Mehbooba Mufti’s government were allowed to campaign in favour of the accused who killed and raped an 8-year-old girl in Kathua but a doctor penalised for pointing out the truth.
