The controversy surrounding MBBS student Sejal Pawar is showing no signs of slowing down.
Days after a footage from comedian Pranit More’s crowd-work show provoked controversy online, the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has now written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action in the case.
Sejal, a medical student at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, was at the focus of a social media frenzy after a video from the event went viral. In the video, she was seen making jokes about male cadavers and comparing the size of their genitals, remarks that many felt were insulting to body donors and the medical community.
The backlash was quick. Doctors, medical students and users of social media questioned the suitability of such comments, particularly from someone studying to pursue a profession based on ethics and respect for human life.
In a statement shared on social media, the association stressed that cadavers are far more than teaching tools inside medical colleges.
“Cadavers are not merely educational tools, they represent noble individuals who voluntarily donated their bodies for the advancement of medical education and for the training of future doctors,” the letter stated.
The association further noted that every medical student carries a responsibility to treat donated bodies with dignity and gratitude throughout their training.
“Any public mockery or insensitive commentary regarding cadavers directly undermines the values of medical ethics and the respect owed to body donors,” the letter added.
AIMSA also said the issue was bigger than one student or one school.
The association said the scandal raises bigger considerations about professional conduct and the ideals required of future healthcare workers. “We should set a strong example to discourage similar incidents in the future,” the letter said.
The controversy arose after clips of Pranit More’s show went viral on the internet. This very same show had already been mired in controversy with an infamous comment by an audience member, Himanshu Jangra, about “₹370 biryani.” The comment garnered widespread condemnation and finally cost him his job.
The criticism against Sejal was mounting and KEM Hospital began an inquiry and placed her on obligatory vacation for 15 days.
The hospital also said it was forming a five-member committee to look into the incident. Officials said Sejal will be counselled in the presence of her parents or guardians and additional action will be taken thereafter. The committee is scheduled to report its conclusions shortly.
Meanwhile Sejal has openly apologised.
In a video shared on Instagram, she acknowledged the backlash and said she understood why people were upset by her comments.
“I genuinely want to address a clip from a recent video that has been circulating. Having watched it back, I completely understand why people were upset by what I said,” she said.
“The topic is a sensitive one, and my comments came across in a way they shouldn’t have. While there was never any intention to disrespect anyone, I recognize that impact matters more than intent.”
However, the apology has not quelled the discussion around the incident online, with many people weighing in on where humour ends and professional responsibility begins.
For now, all eyes are on the inquiry committee and whether the scandal will lead to more action in the days ahead.