This is an archive article published on November 30, 2024
Amid reports of Indian flag being desecrated, Kolkata hospital says ‘won’t treat patients from Bangladesh’
The director of J N Ray Hospital in Maniktala said that the hospital has decided to stop providing all medical services to patients from Bangladesh for now.
A Kolkata hospital has announced that it will not treat any Bangladeshi patients as a sign of protest over the manner in which “the national flag of India has been desecrated in various places” in the neighbouring country.
“Country is above all. Nothing can happen above the country. Medical service is a noble profession but the dignity of the country is paramount. Other medical institutions should also follow this path…,” Subhranshu Bhakta, the director of J N Ray Hospital in Maniktala, said on Friday. He added that the hospital has decided to stop providing all services to patients from Bangladesh for now.
BJP leader and Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor Sajal Ghosh is one of the directors of the 141-bed hospital run by a trust. The hospital usually has 20 per cent Bangladeshi patients, sources said.
“Our hospital is a society-run hospital and Ghosh is one of the directors…,” Bhakta told The Indian Express on Saturday. “We do not have any Bangladeshi patients right now. Three Bangladeshi patients were discharged over the last few days. Only then did we announce (that we will) stop admitting Bangladeshi patients,” Bhakta added.
Posters put up in Kolkata in protest of arrest of a Hindu monk in Bangladesh. (Express Photo)
The development came on a day when India pressed for a “fair and transparent trial” for Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of treason in Bangladesh earlier this week. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said on Friday that New Delhi had conveyed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Earlier, renowned gynaecologist Indranil Saha had said on social media that he had stopped seeing Bangladeshi patients. On Thursday night, Saha posted a picture on social media purportedly showing the desecration of the Indian flag in Bangladesh. “The Indian national flag is lying at the entrance of BUET University! I am stopping seeing Bangladeshi patients in the chamber for now. Country first, income later. I hope other doctors will do the same until the relationship is normal,” Saha had said.
On Friday afternoon, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, made the same demand. “I bow down to Dr Indranil Saha. He said, my country first, income after…I request the entire Indian medical community, businessmen and India lovers to boycott Bangladesh completely,” Adhikari had said.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
Posters put up in Kolkata in protest of arrest of a Hindu monk in Bangladesh. (Express Photo)