Recently, an IAS officer in Chhattisgarh sparked social media outrage after a photo of him -- standing with a foot resting on the steel rail of a hospital bed -- went viral. IAS officer Jagdish Sonkar has now tendered an apology on Facebook.
In his post, Sonkar said that the act was not intentional and he was sorry if anyone was hurt by it.
"This post is to tender an open unconditional apology in response to the picture of mine that is being circulated on social media and newspapers. No amount of words can justify the said act, although it was unintentional and was thoroughly avoidable. I understand the harm the act has inflicted on the image of the civil service fraternity. I apologise to each one of them." Sonkar posted on Facebook.
The IAS officer added that he is thankful to people who stood by him during this time of tough scrutiny.
Sonkar, a 2013-batch IAS officer who also has an MBBS degree was visiting a government Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre for a routine inspection and was interacting with mothers of malnourished children when he casually put his left foot up on the bed rail and leaned on it while speaking to the parent of a sick child.
Someone from the hospital clicked a photo and posted it on social media.
The officer received criticism and the issue was raised with the Chief Minister of Chattisgarh CM Raman Singh.
Meet Chhattisgarh IAS officer Dr Jagdish Sonkar. He has a MBBS degree. He clearly knows his place in this country. https://t.co/RvbKeK3Pi5
— কাঞ্চন গুপ্ত (@KanchanGupta) May 4, 2016
Dear Jagdish Sonkar, IAS 2013 batch, SDM somewhere in Chattisgarh : Be respectful. And don't repeat this again. pic.twitter.com/3d11qVQiiB
— Bharati Chaturvedi (@Bharati09) May 4, 2016
The picture of Jagdish Sonkar SDM in Chattisgarh inspecting CHC is shocking and it's unacceptable
— IAS Association (@IASassociation) May 4, 2016
How bureaucrats inspects hospital.! A CG SDM Jagdish Sonkar resting his leg on a bed while talking a tribal woman. pic.twitter.com/7hFuQ3G3SD
— Anil Dubey (@anilscribe) May 4, 2016
Sonkar's gesture did not not go down well with the Chief Minister who told the media that he has instructed the General Administration Department (GAD) to "train new officers in social behaviour and public dealing before sending them to field posting."
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