The Congress government in Karnataka Monday withdrew an order appointing a medical doctor as a trustee of the Yeshasvini Cooperative Members Health Protection Trust after a party functionary alerted the leadership about his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Dr Sridhar G S, head of Kumar Hospital in Tiptur of Tumakuru district, was appointed as one of the 13 trustees by the Cooperation Department on October 23. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who handles the Cooperation portfolio, is the trust’s chief patron, while the Cooperation Department Secretary serves as the chairperson. Dr Sridhar was appointed as one of the five specialist doctors on the board.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee member C B Shashidhar wrote to CM Siddaramaiah Sunday, requesting withdrawal of the order to save the party from embarrassment, at a time when the government is not allowing RSS shakhas on the premises of government and government-aided schools, and public grounds. He also alerted Deputy CM and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar about the matter.
In the letter, Shashidhar said that Dr Sridhar participated in an RSS march wearing its uniform on October 12, coinciding with the organisation’s 100th anniversary. Shashidhar also alleged that Dr Sridhar’s appointment was made based on the recommendation of Tiptur MLA K Shadakshari.
The state government, in a modified order, stated that Dr Sridhar’s name has been dropped due to “administrative reasons”.
Shortly after photos of Dr Sridhar participating in an RSS march went viral, the controversy embarrassed the Congress. Shadakshari, who had recommended Dr Sridhar, expressed regret.
“I was not aware that Dr Sridhar was active in the RSS. His supporters recommended him to me to serve the public, and I made my suggestion based on that,” he said.
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Dr Sridhar operates Kumar Hospital in Tiptur, a facility previously managed by his father. While his father ran a 10-bedded hospital, Dr Sridhar has expanded it to a 100-bedded hospital over the past 30 years.
According to a source in the Tiptur health department, the hospital has performed more than 20,000 surgeries under the Yeshasvini scheme, prompting them to propose Dr Sridhar’s name for recognition.
A source said, “He never anticipated or aspired to be part of the committee. He has many avenues to serve the people, and his family has been associated with the RSS for the last 30-40 years. It was the people who had suggested his name based on merit, but now it has been turned down for political reasons.”
Launched in 2003, the Yeshasvini health scheme aims to provide affordable healthcare to members of cooperative societies, especially in rural areas. It covers surgical and medical treatments with minimal out-of-pocket costs at a network of public and private hospitals.