Indian state health minister claims cancer is 'divine justice'

Sarma's remarks drew a negative response from political commentators worldwide and cancer patients

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Health Minister of the Indian state of Assam has stated that diseases such as cancer are 'divine justice' meted out to individuals on account of their sins.

In comments reported by the Times of India, Sarma has said, "God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe the background you will come to know that it's divine justice. Nothing else. We have to suffer that divine justice."

Presenting to you, the Health and Education Minister of the Govt of Assam, Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. (@himantabiswa )
TL/DW: Cancer and Accidents happen because of sins committed by us/our parents in past and This is divine justice, nobody can escape that. pic.twitter.com/A0IxByWmwv

— J (@jay3shhh) November 22, 2017

"In this lifetime or in our previous life, or perhaps my father or mother... perhaps that young man did not do but his father has done something wrong. It is mentioned even in Gita, Bible about the outcome of one's actions. No point in being sad... all will get the outcome of this life's actions in this life only. That divine justice always will be there. Nobody can escape the divine justice that will happen," the minister added.



Sarma's remarks, delivered at an event held on Tuesday to officially appoint a batch of school teachers, drew a negative response from political commentators worldwide and cancer patients alike.

wow...now we know why we are one of the most prevalent in head and neck cancer and let's throw in diabetes as well. we sure do have v. bad karma don't we ! https://t.co/sOUHO0FJXQ

— Ekta Batra (@ekta_batra) November 23, 2017

This man is a state health minister in India. Dear God. https://t.co/5oPjFlwDB7

— Stanley Pignal (@spignal) November 23, 2017

Congress party leader Debabratta Saika said that "It is unfortunate that the health minister has made such a remark on cancer patients hurting their feelings. As he has made the remark publicly, the minister should also apologise for it publicly."

A leader of the AIUDF party, Aminul Islam, claimed that the minister's comments were due to his ministry's failure in combating cancer cases in Assam. However, the superintendent of a state run cancer institute, Dr B B Borthakur suggested that Sarma's words had been misconstrued.



He told the PTI agency: "I don't think the minister made the remark on scientific basis but in a social context as I understand. I don't think it is a matter to be made into a controversy. It is not a matter to be given so much importance". It is a similar stance to Sarma's own response to the backlash. He has not apologised and has consistently stated that his words have been misconstrued.

Did my speech was on cancer? Who told you? I simply asked a new batch of teachers to work sincerely & work for poor.In that context I argue that if we do not work sincerely in next life we might face karmic deficiency & that may lead to sufferings .what is insensitive about this? https://t.co/jlCAbEdh7s

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2017