Mangalore: President's Dentist Row - Dr Mitra Hegde Stands Firm, but Apologizes
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Apr 11: Dr Mitra Hegde, who is in the middle of a controversy for allegedly making a false claim about being dentist to the President of India, said on Wednesday April 11 that she was clear about her stand.
Addressing a press meet, Dr Mitra began by apologizing to Dr Shivsharan who had filed for RTI which proved her claims as false, and to Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti president Hanumanth Kamath for making personal attacks on them on television a few days back.
She said that she was clear about her claims as dentist to the President of India, but does not want to talk about it. She told the reporters that she would call another press meet in the next few days to clarify the matter, though she did not give any date.
In a press statement, she said, "Referring to all the statements and counter statements that have appeared in the press and media during the last few days, I sincerely regret for these happenings and I never intended to hurt anybody."
She continued, "I sincerely hereby regret and apologize to the press and media and more particularlty to Dr Shivsharan Shetty of Namma TV and Hanumanth Kamath in this regard."
Asked why she had to apologize to the media, she declined to give any clear answer. She also refused to answer other questions from the media.
A point to be noted is that though she issued a press statement, she did not sign it as is the protocol.
Misbehaviour with mediaperson
Soon after the press meet, a minor chaos erupted when the man who accompanied her, and whose name is said to be Gaurav, misbehaved with a mediaperson when the latter asked him a question.
The reporters who were not told his name during the press meet followed him out and surround him, wanting to know his identity. In a flash of anger, Gaurav pushed a reporter which sparked off tension.
The other reporters immediately informed Barke police who arrived at the spot and took him to interrogation.
Later, a compromise was reached and Gaurav apologized to the media in writing. Dr Mitra too expressed regret for his behaviour. Gaurav is Mitra's Hegde's cousin, it is learnt.