The family of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said they had objected to a photographer being present when Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited him at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, The Hindu reported.

In a statement, Singh’s daughter Daman Singh said that her mother’s objections were ignored when Mandaviya called upon the former prime minister on Thursday. Daman Singh said that her mother was “very upset” about the matter.

Singh was admitted to the cardio-neuro section of the hospital in Delhi on Wednesday evening after he complained of fever and weakness. After meeting him on Thursday, Mandaviya reportedly posted a few photos with Singh on his Twitter handle. However, he removed them after facing criticism on social media, The Hindu reported.

In her statement on Friday, Daman Singh said the family had restricted visitors due to risk of infection. In April, the 89-year-old was hospitalised after he tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

“My father is being treated for dengue at AIIMS,” Daman Singh said. “His condition is stable but his immunity is low. It was nice of the health minister to visit and express his concern. However, my parents were in no state to be photographed at the time.”

The Congress leader’s daughter also told The Print that her parents are “not animals in a zoo” to be photographed in such a situation.

Earlier, several social media users and Congress leaders had pointed out that Singh was not in a state to be photographed and that the health minister had violated his right to privacy.