A viral video shows the Congress leader scolding the official over the phone for failing to arrange a cancer health camp, raising questions about the influence of local leaders
SAHARANPUR – A video of Congress MP from Saharanpur, Imran Masood, has gone viral, showing him scolding the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) over the phone for failing to organise a health camp in a village battling serious illness. The MP’s angry phone conversation has sparked wide debate, with many praising him for standing up for public welfare and questioning why a political leader’s instruction was needed to hold such a camp.
In the viral clip, Masood is heard questioning the CMO’s decision to cancel a cancer treatment camp, allegedly due to the absence of Samajwadi Party MLA Ashu Malik. The MP can be heard raising his voice, saying: “CMO Sahab, whether there is any MLA or MP or not, you should organise the camp. Is this some ribbon-cutting event? The whole village is dying.”
Masood appears visibly upset in the video, which has now been shared widely across social media. His frustration seems to come from the official’s claim that Ashu Malik, the MLA from Saharanpur Dehat, had not instructed for the camp, and therefore it was not arranged.
The Congress MP, not holding back his anger, said: “If Ashu Malik says not to do it, will you stop working? You organise the camp. I will speak to the central and state governments if needed. I will provide whatever is required.”
According to reports, the incident took place when locals from a village in Saharanpur reached out to Imran Masood, complaining that despite a growing number of cancer-related cases, no health camp had been organised. After looking into the matter, the MP called the CMO directly, demanding answers.
He also raised a serious question about the influence of MLAs in administrative work: “Is the CMO supposed to follow orders from a local MLA, or is he here to serve the public? Public health is not a favour — it’s a responsibility.”
When asked about the video, Imran Masood said he stood by every word. “I work for the public and I don’t hide behind silence,” he said. “I am not a rubber stamp MP. I was elected to speak and I will speak.”
He added: “The health of people comes first. I don’t care who feels bad. If an official is sitting idle because an MLA didn’t tell him to work, then he has no business being in that post.”
Masood has also written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Brijesh Pathak, demanding that a health camp be immediately organised in the affected village. In the letter, he mentioned the growing number of illnesses and stressed the urgent need for medical help. He also instructed the CMO to visit the village and meet the patients.
The Chief Medical Officer, whose name has not been disclosed in public reports, has so far not made any statement. However, sources claim the CMO had earlier said that “Ashu Malik had not asked for the camp, so it was not planned.” This statement appears to have triggered Masood’s strong reaction.
A senior health department officer, who requested not to be named, said: “Health camps should not be delayed because of politics. If people are suffering, it is the duty of the health officials to act, whether or not a politician asks for it.”
Many on social media have supported Imran Masood’s stand, calling him a “people’s MP” and praising him for “taking a strong stand against bureaucracy that waits for political orders.” Others have criticised the fact that such basic healthcare work depends on political figures and not on public need.
Imran Masood’s words point towards a deeper issue — the alleged control of administrative decisions by political preferences. “Just because someone from a different party didn’t give the green signal, people in the village are paying the price,” he said.
There has been no direct response from Ashu Malik on the matter at the time of writing this report.
Residents expressed anger over the delay. Salim Ahmed, a 52-year-old school teacher from the village, said: “People are falling sick every week. We need doctors, not drama. Why should we suffer because officials are waiting for some politician to tell them to act?”
Another villager, Shabnam Bano, said: “Imran Sahab is the first person who came here and spoke for us. No one else even visited. If he had not raised his voice, the camp would have never happened.”
In recent years, Saharanpur has seen rising complaints of cancer and other serious health issues in rural areas. But many villages remain far from medical facilities. The need for health camps, regular check-ups, and medicine supply is often ignored until media or political pressure is applied.
Reacting to the video, the Congress party has come out in full support of Imran Masood. A party spokesperson said: “He has shown what real leadership looks like. BJP and SP leaders are only seen on posters and at rallies. When it comes to helping people, they are silent.”
“If you need an MLA’s permission to save lives, then the system is broken,” the spokesperson added.
The BJP has so far remained silent on the issue, while the SP has also not issued any formal statement.
This incident has opened a larger conversation about how local politics and power struggles can block even basic services like healthcare. It has also sparked a debate over bureaucratic failure, especially when officers feel more accountable to politicians than to the people they serve.
