Yahoo News Indian health minister sparks fury after claiming cancer is 'divine justice' caused by 'sinning'
A health minister from India has sparked outrage after he said that cancer is “divine justice” caused by “past sins of a person”.
Himanata Biswa Sarma, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), from Assam State claimed that people could get cancer because of the “sin of their parents”.
The remarks were made while he was speaking at a public event in Guwahati on Wednesday.
The Times of India reported that he said: "God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe the background you will come to know that it's divine justice. Nothing else. We have to suffer that divine justice”.
His words sparked upset and outrage in cancer patients and their relatives.
Opposition parties described his statement as “unfortunate” and have asked for a public apology.
Horrendous.I lost my mom to cancer.She was t much loved & respected 'teacheramma' and not a sinner you are proclaiming cancer patients to be Mr.Sharma.This comment insults both the affected and their loved ones. @gulrayys @sanjayuvacha @priyankac19 @bainjal @ranjona @sonaliranade https://t.co/lVQfb0Ew6u
— Rekha Rao (@rekha49) November 22, 2017
True, My mother passed away with cervical cancer.She never consumed any tobacco nor any toxic material any time, She is ardent follower of Shri Sathyasai Baba, Lord Krisha. Believed the karma philosophy never worried even when she was on her death bed,She lives in our heart.
— Surya (@KEYESEN2000) November 23, 2017
One user wrote:"People like you who are running our country only indicates that India is at the receiving end of the Gita!! Shame on you!!"
People like you who are running our country only indicates that India is at the receiving end of the Gita!! Shame on you!!
— A Wicked Eye (@akshaykulks) November 23, 2017
The All India United Democratic party suggested that Mr Sarma had made the comments to “cover his failure to control the spread of cancer in the state".
Mr Sarma tweeted to clarify his comments; however his response only served to anger people further.
Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely & work for poor.In that context I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency & that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this? https://t.co/jlCAbEdh7s
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017
Research by the Indian Council of medical research indicates that the lack of awareness and testing for the disease means that only 12.5 per cent of patients are treated in the early stages.
The report estimated that the number of new cancer cases will rise by 25 per cent by 2020.
