Dr Kafeel Khan pens heartfelt letter to Shah Rukh Khan for addressing "Gorakhpur Tragedy" in Jawan
Gorakhpur UP: In a letter addressed to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Dr. Kafeel Khan, the former Assistant Professor at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, expressed his profound appreciation for Shah Rukh Khan's latest blockbuster film, "Jawan."
The movie, which delves into the tragic Gorakhpur Encephalitis incident, resonated deeply with Dr. Kafeel Khan, who himself had a personal connection with the incident and its aftermath.
In his letter, Dr. Khan commended Shah Rukh Khan's commitment to using cinema as a powerful medium to shed light on critical socio-political issues. He praised the film's poignant portrayal of the Gorakhpur tragedy, emphasizing the urgency for accountability within the healthcare system, a theme that "Jawan" powerfully conveys.
While acknowledging that "Jawan" is a work of fiction, Dr. Kafeel Khan noted the striking parallels it drew to the Gorakhpur tragedy, highlighting systemic failures, apathy, and the devastating loss of innocent lives.
He particularly appreciated the character of Dr. Eeram Khan, portrayed by actress Sanya Malhotra, which resonated with his own experiences. Dr. Khan lamented the real culprits of the Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy still being at large, himself struggling to regain his job, and the grieving parents awaiting justice.
Dr. Kafeel Khan took the opportunity to share that he has authored a book titled "The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy," published by Pan Macmillan and available in multiple languages. The book provides a comprehensive firsthand account of the tragedy and its aftermath, paralleling elements of the movie's plot.
Dr. Khan also expressed his desire to meet Shah Rukh Khan, the talented director Atlee, and other members of the film's crew. He aimed to personally convey his gratitude for their efforts in bringing the Gorakhpur tragedy to light and initiating vital conversations about healthcare accountability in India.
In his closing words, Dr. Kafeel Khan assured Shah Rukh Khan of his unwavering dedication to serving his fellow countrymen, expressing his gratitude for the actor's role as a beacon of hope. Dr. Khan eagerly awaited a response from the Bollywood icon.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to obtain your email address, @iamsrk sir .
— Dr Kafeel Khan (@drkafeelkhan) October 5, 2023
Consequently, I sent the letter by post, but that also showing in transit even after many days .Therefore posting it here 🙏🏾
To
The Honourable Mr. Shah Rukh Khan
Indian actor and film producer
Mannat,… pic.twitter.com/9OxtzHQJ5M
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Karnataka Assembly passes bill on Palace Grounds amid opposition protest
Bengaluru, Mar 6 (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Bangalore Palace (Utilisation and Regulation of Land) Bill, reaffirming state ownership over 472 acres and 16 guntas of land here, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
During the discussion, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the state government would have to provide Rs 200 crore worth of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for each acre of land, which means that for 15 acres, Rs 3,000 crore worth of TDR would be issued.
“If we accept it, then this 2-km stretch of road will become the costliest road in the world. If we accept it then how are we going to develop the city in later stages? How will you carry out development works?” asked Patil.
He also pointed out that this question was raised not only under the Congress government but also during the previous BJP regime.
However, the BJP-led cabinet has opposed the project.
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“Suppose we agree to it then, what will be the valuation of the 472 acres? It will be lakhs and lakhs of crores of rupees. Can we accept?” Patil wondered.
The Minister said the government had previously exercised its executive powers to issue an ordinance, which was approved by the Governor. Now the government is bringing a bill with two amendments.
“In this bill, we have made provisions either to develop or drop the road development work,” Patil explained.
However, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and BJP MLA Arvind Bellad opposed the move, alleging that the government was targetting Yaduveer Krishna Datta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of the Mysuru royal family, and the BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu constituency out of political vendetta.
“We talk of 472 acres of Mysuru Maharaja but here there are many Maharajas who too own 400 acres, 500 acres and thousands of acres of land, which is known to everyone,” Bellad said.
He slammed the Congress government, saying political power should not be misused for personal vendetta.
“Why (the then Deputy Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah brought the law in 1996 pertaining to the Bangalore Palace? Why are you setting eyes on the Bangalore Palace?” he asked.
Vijayendra charged that Wadiyar won the election on BJP ticket so the state government realised that it should acquire it.
“This bill has been brought for political vengeance. We are not discussing whether Rs 3,000 crore is exorbitant or not but the moment Yaduveer became MP, the state government woke up. You should be ashamed. This house should not be used for political vendetta,” he said.
Intervening, Minister Priyank Kharge said Vijayendra should not have raised it because the intention behind building the road was noble.
According to him, the BJP too had the same plan when it was in power.
He sought to know whether thousands of crores of rupees be spent on a road which should have cost significantly less.
In response, BJP MLA B A Basavaraj (Byrathi) said issuing TDR will not be a burden on the state government and appealed to the ruling Congress to reconsider its stance.
Minister Ramalinga Reddy too explained that the Karnataka government acquired the entire land way back in 1996.
The Mysuru royal family went to the High Court, which gave ruling in favour of the state government. The royal family then approached the Supreme Court, where the case is still going on, the Minister pointed out.
“The final judgment is pending in the SC to decide whether the acquisition was right or wrong. If the SC says it’s the royal family’s property then let it be so. If the order is in the state government’s favour then we can take a decision. The bill is only about it,” Reddy explained.
Speaker U T Khader then called for a voice vote and the bill was passed by the Assembly amidst opposition BJP’s discontent.
