Less than 24 hours after SP Balasubrahmanyam's funeral, there were messages on social media claiming the legendary singer's family had requested the Tamil Nadu government for assistance in regard to the payment of the hospital bills. Upon coming to know of such a development, the six-time National Award-winning singer's son, SPB Charan appeared in a Facebook live video on Sunday evening and dismissed the messages being circulated as a "hogwash". The rumor claimed that the family had asked the Tamil Nadu government for help to pay the hospital bills, but it was BJP leader and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu who had stepped in.
The message that has gone viral on social media states, "Sad but true! SPB's remaining hospital bills had to be paid by SPB’s family in the morning to take the mortal remains. They could not mobilise, the state government ignored them. The Tamil and Telugu patriots looked away. An Appeal to Delhi and the relief was instantaneous. Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu's daughter went and cleared up the hospital bill after which the body was released,".
SPB Charan said, "There are rumours about bills and that we paid something and there was balance, and that we requested the Tamil Nadu government but they did not reciprocate, and I had gone to the Vice President of India and they had reciprocated instantaneously… Also, unless we had paid the balance amount, the hospital was not releasing my dad’s body for last rites. Let me just say one thing, this is all a big hogwash. I don’t know why people do this, without even consulting us…".
He continued, "They don't seem to realise how offensive and hurtful it is to people who are associated with the issue. It is very disheartening that we still have people like this around. These cannot be fans of SPB because SPB will not do something like this. He is not somebody who hurts people. He is somebody who forgives this person who does something like this. I would like to say that I forgive this gentleman but he needs to grow up, get some sense and do the right thing. I am not going to give any details right now because the hospital and I are going to do a press release together. It is sad we have to do it. It is so simple to post something online and mess things for people."
SPB Charan concluded his statement expressing his gratitude towards the authorities at MGM Healthcare hospital, who were treating SP Balasubrahmanyam. He said, "We as a family are completely grateful for everything that MGM Healthcare for us, for my father as a patient and for us as a family who were attending and taking care of him. I truly miss going to the hospital, miss meeting all doctors and nurses. When MGM had called Apollo requesting for an equipment they immediately sent it for my dad’s treatment. So they are all great people. You who spread rumours can also be great people. Try to emulate the greatness."
Watch the video below: