A controversy has snowballed out of the ‘forced’ closure of a free langar run by Almighty Blessing, an NGO, on the premises of the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla.
Claiming the langar services being run illegally, hospital administration got the premises of the Almighty Blessings vacated with the help of police force. The premesis were used to serve free food to the needy patients and their attendants in Hospital premises.
While the general public, various charitable and religious organisations and Congress workers have condemned the action and demanded that it be restored, the IGMC administration has stuck to its stand.
The administration reiterated that the NGO was running illegally from the IGMC premises and was “stealing” electricity and water from the hospital, and demanded a magisterial inquiry into the working and funding of the NGO.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has sought a report on the matter following a massive uproar. “The langar has been running for several years but some issues have cropped up. I have asked for a report and will comment only when I get all the facts,” the CM said.
Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Harish Janartha are blaming the BJP Government for politicisation of premier health Institutions like IGMC.
Congress leaders lashed out the Jai Ram Government for saffronisation of all Government institutions alleging that the Almighty Blessing was forcibly remove and forced to wind up its free community kitchen in the Indira GandhI Medical College Hospital.
Vikramaditya Singh along with the common people form all walks, staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the statue of Father of Nation at Ridge Maidan, Shimla.
Besides this the party Youth wing would cordon the residence of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Singh said.
“The Shimla people would not allow the IGMC Administration to replace Sarabjeet Singh to facilitate someone else to run a canteen or langar,” Singh added.
Youth Congress activists also staged a protest and shouted slogans outside the IGMC hospital to protest against IGMC Administration.
It is pertinent to mention here Sarabjeet Singh Boby has started a Roti Bank with the help of school children, who donate two Rotis daily for the free langar service at IGMC Shimla, therefore hundreds of students their parents and dozens of social and religious activists are associated with this project, and they all are supporting the NGO and its langar service.