Pointing out that neither senior faculty members nor the organizers were present during the dance, Dr Gupta, reiterated their strong opposition towards such events.
Published Sep 24, 2024 | 5:44 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2024 | 5:44 PM
Dance performance at ACRSICON conference. (Supplied)
A video showing dancers performing during the 47th Annual Conference of the Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSICON), has surfaced online.
The event held in Chennai, from 19 to 21 September, intended to focus on academic discussions among colon and rectal surgeons from India and some international participants, unexpectedly featured a dance performance described as vulgar by attendees.
However, the Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) clarified that the performance was originally meant to be a classical dance, but that turned out to be a misstep by the event management team.
Speaking with South First, Dr Kamal Gupta, secretary of the Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) clarified, “Truthfully, we were supposed to have a classical dance performance, and we left the arrangements to the organizers. However, it wasn’t the organizers themselves but the event management team. The organizers were very busy with academic activities, and suddenly, in the evening, we saw a girl dancing. I don’t really know what happened because I arrived at the hall quite late.”
It was @ACRSI255346— Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India 47th Annual Conference in Chennai from September 19–21, 2024.
This dance was part of this doctors conference.
“It was supposed to be classical dance performance,” ACRSI response. @chetanabelagere pic.twitter.com/xXqrnhmDpA
— Sumit Jha (@sumitjha__) September 24, 2024
ACRSI secretary Dr Gupta emphasised that it was a very silly mistake on the part of the event manager.
“We are doctors, and our image needs to reflect that. We were all busy in the halls, reading papers and attending sessions, as conferences typically go. It was an unfortunate incident, and we strongly condemn it. The event management had told us it was going to be a South Indian classical dance performance. I don’t know what went wrong, however, we strongly condemn it as an association,” Dr Gupta reiterated.
Asked if there would be any action taken, Dr Gupta stated, “How can we take any action against the event management team? We are not in any capacity to do so. We rely on the event management team to handle things, and if something goes wrong, they are supposed to address it. But, whatever happened was very inappropriate, and we strongly condemn it.”
Dr Gupta further pointed out, “We need to focus solely on our teachings and learning—what we teach and what we learn. All the senior faculty members are ashamed of this incident. If you ask me, we are truly ashamed of such events.”
Amid the claims on social media that there has been sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies, ACRSI secretary Dr Gupta noted, “As for the issue of pharma sponsorship, you know how people react. Why would any pharma company get involved in something like this? Pharma has nothing to do with it.”
“Mark my words, no pharma company has ever been involved in promoting such events. In my 35 years of experience, I have never seen any pharma company engage in this type of activity. This is just social media gossip. It happened, and yes, it was unfortunate. As I told you, we thought it was going to be a classical dance performance, but it wasn’t. A dance is a dance—someone brings someone in, and we were helpless. We couldn’t stop it,” he added.
Pointing out that neither senior faculty members nor the organizers were present during the dance, Dr Gupta, reiterated their strong opposition towards such events, “We strongly condemn such incidents, anywhere in the country. When these things happen during a doctor’s conference, we strongly condemn it.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
