‘Beat Those Who Write Against Me’, were his initial words when he took the charge.
Ever since the BJP leader Chaudhary Lal Singh took over as the health minister of Jammu and Kashmir, his ‘despotic and rude’ statements have procured him a constant controversial space in media.
Usually swept over by the questions of media, Lal Singh recently denied to share information with a local news organisation on finalisation of site for AIIMS saying, “AIIMS say aapko kya lena dena” (What you people have got to do with it).
Immediately after taking over as the boss of the crucial and ailing health sector of the state, Lal Singh came into a controversial frame on allegedly misbehaving with a female medico. Dr Gurmeet Kour who works at Psychiatric Hospital Jammu, had also filed a police complaint against the minister for misbehaving with her for not wearing official gown (white apron).
While journalists feel appalled by his intense remarks many feel aversion in quoting him.
“I needed to ask him on the issue of unavailability of some tests and mediccal investigations lacking in hospitals of the state, he turned away with rude substitutions like hogaya, bass hogaya? (over, is it over?), refusing to cooperate,” said a journalist.
Earlier, the journalists working in Kathua had also filed a written complaint against the minister to seek security as Lal Singh had openly warned the press and instructed his workers to beat reporters and cameramen who write against him.
It was also decided that the copy of complaint be sent to National President of BJP, State President and senior police officers of the state that Choudhary Lal singh will be responsible if any media person is attacked or harmed.
The minister also flew in news for ineptly touching the collar of a female medico in Lakhanpur.