Jharkhand renames Atal Mohalla Clinic after Mother Teresa, BJP calls move political appeasement

The Jharkhand cabinet on Thursday approved the renaming of the Atal Mohalla Clinic as the Mother Teresa Advance Health Clinic.

The mohalla clinic was originally launched on August 16, 2019, by the then NDA government on the death anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The move has sparked a political slugfest between the ruling JMM-led alliance and the opposition BJP.


"Atal ji's unwavering resolve secured the rights of Jharkhand's people and gave tribal pride a distinct identity. But the Hemant government, stooping to the lowest level of politics, has ignored his contribution. Can it clarify how this decision will improve healthcare?" Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi told ET.

He added, "If the government truly wanted to honour Mother Teresa, it could have launched a new scheme in her name to serve patients, which was her life's mission. Instead, it has chosen to serve its political interests."

The BJP alleged the move was aimed at wooing the state's Christian voters, seen as supporters of the JMM-led coalition.

Rejecting the charge, JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya said, "Mother Teresa is an angelic figure for the poor. Naming a health clinic for the poor in her honour is most appropriate."