Even as the condition of Shinjini, the 16-year-old girl who fell ill after being rebuked by a judge on a reality show, has evoked a nationwide debate, the producer of the show on Tuesday clarified that her condition was due to a prolonged spinal cord problem.
Did rebuff on reality show paralyse this girl?
Kausthab Ray, producer of the show Jhoom Machale, who called on Shinjini at NIMHANS in Bangalore where she is undergoing treatment, said her condition was such not due to depression but due to a prolonged spinal cord problem.
Shinjini Sengupta, a 16-year-old class XI student from Kolkata, allegedly slipped into depression and eventually stopped speaking was admitted to NIMHANS in Bangalore. Her parents claimed that her condition was such after she had been rebuked by a judge on a reality show on May 19.
Unable to cope with the humiliation she slipped into depression, her parents claimed.
The show's producer told media persons in Bangalore that when Shinjini had enrolled for the show, the production team checked her medical records. They realized that she had undergone a surgery on her spinal cord. He also said that they had objected to this, but her parents insisted that she was alright and also gave their consent, the producer added.
Kausthab said the surgery was conducted eight months back and this could have led to complications.
He added that they had checked her school records and found that she had been suffering from a problem relating to her spinal cord even during the post-operation period. We also found out that during school hours when the students were to stand she was allowed to sit due to this problem.
Kausthab further said that several participants had been sent out of the show, but they had not received any such complaints from them. He said they had discussed the matter with her parents and also assured them that the medical expenses would be borne by them.
Quoting doctors, the show's producer said the girl was recovering and showing signs of body movements.
Ringoo, one of the judges on the show, said he was happy with her condition. On criticizing participants, he said positive criticism was not harmful.
Sujan Chakravorthy, Member of Parliament from Jadhavpur (West Bengal) who also visited Shinjini, said he had not come to advise the parents. The lawmaker said he was happy with the progress being made by the girl and added that he would be taking up this issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
