The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jharkhand branch escalated its demands on Monday, November 3, 2025, calling for the immediate removal of Health Minister Irfan Ansari. This comes in the wake of a deeply distressing incident where five children with thalassemia in West Singhbhum district reportedly contracted HIV after receiving blood transfusions.
Across the state, BJP members took to the streets, holding fervent demonstrations outside Sadar hospitals. Their protests were marked by strong slogans denouncing the current JMM-led alliance government.
In Ranchi, the state capital, the BJP’s Mahanagar Committee organized a dharna (sit-in protest) directly on the Sadar Hospital grounds. The demonstration saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Ranchi MLA C.P. Singh.
Addressing reporters, Mr. Singh expressed grave concern, stating, “The state of Jharkhand’s health department has severely declined. It is truly tragic that children suffering from thalassemia were given HIV-infected blood. Those responsible for this unforgivable lapse must face stringent punishment.”
He further accused the state government of neglecting its duties towards public healthcare, claiming their primary focus was on “amassing wealth” rather than serving the populace.
The BJP leader asserted, “The Health Minister is preoccupied with allocating contracts to his family members and engaging in corrupt practices. We insist on his immediate removal from the health portfolio.” He also confirmed that this critical issue would be a central point of discussion during the upcoming winter session of the Assembly.
The horrifying revelations began on October 24, when the family of a seven-year-old thalassemia patient from Chaibasa, the West Singhbhum district headquarters, publicly alleged that the local blood bank had administered HIV-infected blood to their child.
Following these serious allegations, a five-member medical investigative team was dispatched from Ranchi on October 26. Their inquiry shockingly confirmed that four additional children had also tested positive for HIV after receiving contaminated blood transfusions.
In a coordinated effort, BJP units in Seraikela-Kharswan and West Singhbhum districts mirrored the protests, staging demonstrations outside their respective Sadar hospitals. They also formally submitted memorandums detailing their grievances to Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar via their Deputy Commissioners.