In a bizarre turn of events, the Mayor of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh and Senior BJP leader Vinod Agarwal found himself at the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing him pretending to donate blood during a camp organized to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17. The event, held at the BJP office in Moradabad, quickly gained attention for the wrong reasons.
The viral video shows Mayor Agarwal lying on a hospital bed, ready to donate blood, with a paramedic preparing to check his blood pressure. However, as the paramedic begins the process, Agarwal is seen laughing and suddenly asking the doctor not to proceed. The paramedic, holding a needle, is about to begin the blood donation process when the Mayor abruptly stands up and exits the room, leaving onlookers bewildered.
Shortly after, a post appeared on X (formerly known as Twitter) claiming that Agarwal had "discharged social responsibility by donating blood" on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s birthday. However, the video contradicting the claim quickly went viral, leading to widespread criticism and accusations of a publicity stunt.
When questioned about the incident, Agarwal dismissed the controversy as a conspiracy orchestrated by his political rivals to tarnish his image. He explained that he had genuinely intended to donate blood but was advised against it by the attending doctor after disclosing his diabetic condition. Agarwal stated that the doctor informed him that due to his diabetes, he was ineligible to donate blood, which is why he left the camp without completing the donation process.
Despite his clarification, the viral video has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many accusing the Mayor of staging the act for publicity. The incident has reignited discussions on the ethics of political figures using charitable acts for personal promotion.
The incident has left many questioning the authenticity of public figures' involvement in charitable activities, especially when such events are tied to significant occasions. As the debate continues, the controversy surrounding Vinod Agarwal's alleged fake blood donation serves as a reminder of the fine line between genuine social contributions and actions perceived as publicity stunts.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)