Srinagar: In another ‘gag’ order issued by the authorities, officials of the Mental Health Institute, Badamwari have been asked not to talk to press on the issue of Braid Chopping or, express their opinion regarding the issue on any social media platform.
What can also be referred to as the height of controlling expert opinion on the issue, the hospital administration has also barred its staff from writing on social media regarding braid chopping, and not even allowing them to write articles in any journal or newspaper regarding the issue.
The circular issued by the Head of the Psychiatry Department, has come after the authorities have formed the teams to study the incidents of braid chopping. The teams, reportedly, have come up with no concrete finding so far.
“It is to impress upon all the Psychiatrists/ Doctors of this Hospital that no one is allowed and permissible to speak with journalists or publish any article on the subject of braid chopping incident on social media without the permission of the undersigned (HoD),” the circular reads.
Further, while warning those who will do opposite to what has been directed, the circular reads, “Henceforth, if anyone fails to oblige, strict action shall be taken against the said person.”
Sources say that few weeks ago, HoD was caught in a difficult situation when a local newspaper grossly misquoted him, which turned out to be a complicated situation for him, “in order to stay away from such situations, he took the step and issued the circular,” sources added.
Pertinently, an order is already in place which is issued by Principal GMC in September, which clearly bars the entry of journalists to the sensitive areas of the hospitals in Srinagar.
Despite repeated attempts, Dr. Muhammad Maqbool Dar, HoD Psychiatry could not be contacted for his comments on the issue.