Gorakhpur tragedy: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi defends Dr Kafeel Khan

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday defended Dr Kafeel Khan, who was yesterday removed as the Nodal officer and the man in-charge of the encephalitis ward at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College.

63 children have died over the last five days at the hospital, located in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth's hometown.

Owaisi said the Uttar Pradesh government and the BJP were using such tragedies for their political motives.

"UP CM Yogi also faces several criminal cases, why he is continuing? Just making people scapegoat(s) will not solve the purpose - and like Nobel Prize winner (and) child right activist Kailash Satyarthi has said - it's a massacre, government should own responsibility." he said.

He pointed out how long Adityanath had been an MP from Gorakhpur.

"When he can't even take



care of the hospital of his own constituency, how he will handle a vast state like UP?" he asked.

Owaisi also said that he doubted anyone from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet would resign. He said the BJP which preaches 'morals' actually has no 'morals.'

"The tragedy occurred because of incapability and only BJP and its state government (are) responsible. It's high time they...realise their mistake that led to death of more than 60 kids and blaming a doctor is not correct. He did his best." Owaisi told India Today.

Dr Kafeel was initially hailed as hero for saving lives by rushing to obtain oxygen cylinders for the ailing patients. But he now faces allegations that he had an illegal private practice.

It has also been alleged that he faces rape charges, and that he used the media to become a hero.