A third-year MBBS student at Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Sejal Pawar, has been sent on 15 days’ forced leave after her remarks about male cadavers during a stand-up comedy show triggered a controversy.The hospital has constituted a five-member committee to examine the matter and submit its recommendations within a week.The committee will assess the facts, context, impact and relevant records, including the circulation of the video clip on social media, before recommending further action.“The student concerned was called, her explanation/apology was taken on record and the relevant material was reviewed. In view of the preliminary findings, the sensitivity of the matter and the need to uphold the dignity of the deceased, body donors and the professional standards expected from medical students, an interim disciplinary/administrative order has been served on Pawar today,” the hospital said in a statement.The hospital has directed Pawar to cooperate fully with the inquiry and remain available whenever required by the committee, either in person or online.The show was recorded about three months ago. In a clip from the programme that recently surfaced online, Pawar is heard discussing cadavers used in medical education. Responding to a question by comedian Pranit More on whether doctors remain serious or crack jokes while conducting autopsies, she said she and her colleagues would compare the sizes of male cadavers’ private parts. The remarks drew sharp criticism on social media.In a public statement, Pawar said: “I genuinely want to address a clip from a recent video that has been circulating. Having watched it back, I completely understand why people were upset by what I said. The topic is a sensitive one, and my comments came across in a way they shouldn’t have. While there was never any intention to disrespect anyone, I recognise that impact matters more than intent.”The All India Medical Students’ Association condemned what it described as the “insensitive and disrespectful portrayal of cadavers and body donors for entertainment purposes”.