• Dr. Sejal Pawar has faced online backlash after comments about male cadavers made during comedian Pranit More's show circulated on social media.
• The controversy surfaced as Pranit More's show remained under scrutiny following the viral ₹370 biryani incident.
• Medical students and healthcare professionals have raised concerns that mocking donated bodies could undermine public trust in body donation programs and medical ethics.
Dr. Sejal Pawar has come under scrutiny after a clip from comedian Pranit More's show showed her making comments about male cadavers used in medical education, reigniting discussion about body donation ethics and professional conduct in healthcare.
The clip gained traction as social media users revisited crowd interaction segments from Pranit More's performances following the viral ₹370 biryani controversy. The renewed attention prompted objections from medical students and others who argued that donated bodies should be treated with dignity and respect.
In the earlier ₹370 biryani controversy, More publicly apologised and said he regretted not challenging the audience member's remarks during the performance. Reports later indicated that one of his Instagram profiles had become inaccessible amid the backlash. Several users shared excerpts from previous shows, prompting renewed scrutiny of remarks made by audience participants and the comedian's responses to them.
According to information previously displayed on her Instagram profile, Pawar is associated with Mumbai's KEM Hospital. Her account was later made private after the remarks attracted widespread attention online.
During an audience interaction segment, Dr. Pawar said that she and a female colleague often compared the sizes of male cadavers' private parts while working in a hospital.
One X user who identified as a medical student wrote, "Mocking a cadaver is one of the worst things you can do," recalling a passage from anatomist B.D. Chaurasia's textbook that encourages students to handle cadavers with dignity and care.
Cadavers are donated human bodies used to teach anatomy and help medical students understand the structure of the human body. Medical colleges emphasize respectful handling of donated bodies because they play a central role in anatomy training.
Many institutions refer to cadavers as a medical student's "first teacher," reflecting the contribution body donors make to medical education. Families who choose body donation help support the training of future doctors and healthcare professionals.
Anatomy training also emphasizes professionalism, gratitude, and respect toward those who donate their bodies for educational purposes.
The remarks have renewed discussion about professional conduct in medicine, with medical students arguing that jokes involving cadavers conflict with the values taught during anatomy training, where donated bodies are generally treated with dignity and respect.
Some medical students argued online that public comments perceived as disrespectful toward cadavers could undermine confidence in body donation programmes. They noted that anatomy education often introduces cadavers as a medical student's "first teacher," emphasizing gratitude and professionalism throughout dissection training.
Social media users identifying themselves as medical students referred to passages from standard anatomy texts, including those by anatomist B.D. Chaurasia, which encourage learners to approach cadaveric dissection with dignity, humility, and respect.
Other social media users raised concerns that such comments could affect public confidence in body donation programs, which play an important role in medical education.
Also see: What Really Happens After You Donate Your Body to Medical Science in India?
Body donation plays an important role in medical education and anatomy training. Donor programs depend on individuals and families voluntarily choosing to contribute their bodies for educational purposes.
Several social media users reacting to the viral clip said body donation programs rely on public trust and respectful treatment of donated remains. Some expressed concern that remarks about cadavers could discourage body donation and affect a resource widely used in medical education.
Although the controversy began during an audience interaction on comedian Pranit More's show, it has also prompted discussion about medical professionalism, ethical conduct, and respect for body donors.
(Rh/TP/MSM)
