Delhi hospital official apologises to staff over controversial ‘no Malayalam’ circular

The official said that he had “no intention to disrespect any Indian language, region, or religion”.

June 09, 2021 12:57 pm | Updated 10:33 pm IST - New Delhi

G.B. Pant Hospital in New Delhi. File

G.B. Pant Hospital in New Delhi. File

The Nursing Superintendent of the Delhi Government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER) in a letter to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital apologised for an order the former had issued, which banned nursing staff from talking in Malayalam.

Also read: Delhi government hospital tells nurses not to speak in Malayalam

The official said that he had “no intention to disrespect any Indian language, region, or religion”.

On Saturday, GIPMER banned nursing staff from speaking in Malayalam in the hospital, and warned of “serious action” if they did not talk in English or Hindi, according to an order issued by the Nursing Superintendent of the hospital.

The order was later withdrawn by the hospital on Sunday.

Also read: Delhi hospital revokes ban on Malayalam

“I have issued said circular in a positive sense purely for the comfort of the patients and attendants. There was no malafide intentions to it... Even then, if any staff’s feelings were hurt, I regret/apology for the same and assure you I will be more careful and vigilant in future (sic),” the letter read.

Also read: Malayalam row | Opposition leaders slam Delhi hospital order

The Delhi government spokesperson did not comment on the development.

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