Probe ordered into belly dancing , liquor bottles at Meerut Medical College event

Lucknow: A probe has been ordered into the alleged belly dance performed by Russian artists at the alumni function of a state-run Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College in Meerut on Monday, by the state government.

According to the State Medical and Technical Education Minister, Ashutosh Tandon, a committee headed by the Director General of Medical Education had been appointed by him to investigate the issue.

“The incident was extremely unfortunate. I have asked the probe committee to submit its report in three days, after which we will decide on the future course of action,” he said.

However, organizers of the event, held to mark the golden jubilee of the college’s 1967 batch, stated that there was nothing objectionable about the belly dance and families of doctors had sat through the performance.

“Belly dance is a form of art, and an expert – Russian dancer Ela – was invited to perform at the function,” said Dr Parvez, who headed the 35-member organizing committee of the event.

Allegations raised of an ambulance being used to transport liquor bottles was vociferously denied by Dr Parvez, who said: “It bore some empty cartons and gifts, not bottles of alcohol.”

The 1992 batch of doctors organized the event for the 1967 batch, Dr Parvez told HT, adding that the medical college has been holding alumni meets for the last 35 years. The event had nothing to do with the hospital as it was held on the lawns of the college, he added.

Dr Parvez said that all official permissions had been taken by organizing a committee, including obtaining the license for a one-day bar and applying for permission from the college and local administration. “Dr Vinay Aggarwal, the Acting Principal of the college, had given everything in writing to the district magistrate,” he said.

Dr Vinay Aggarwal remained out of reach for the press.