INDIA: Minister terms cancer ‘divine justice’

Indians have reacted angrily after the health minister from Assam state said cancer “is divine justice” caused by “past sins of a person”. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that people could also get diseases like cancer “because of the sins of their parents”. Cancer patients and their relatives said they were saddened by the minister’s statement. […]

Indians have reacted angrily after the health minister from Assam state said cancer “is divine justice” caused by “past sins of a person”.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that people could also get diseases like cancer “because of the sins of their parents”.

Cancer patients and their relatives said they were saddened by the minister’s statement.

Opposition parties have described his comments as “unfortunate”, and demanded a public apology.

State opposition party the All India United Democratic Front said Mr Sarma had made the statement to “cover his failure to control the spread of cancer in the state”.

He had made the remark while speaking at a public event in Guwahati on Wednesday.