Kolkata Doctor's Rs 500 'Jai Shri Ram' Discount Sparks Political Row

Kolkata:  Ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections, a city-based cardiologist has announced that if any patient says "Jai Shree Ram" at his clinic will receive a Rs 500 discount on consultation fee, stating that the move will bring "political change" in West Bengal. The doctor shared  the poster on social media, featuring his photo while wearing a BJP scarf.

What is there in the poster?

The poster include a photo of Hazra, wearing a BJP cap and scarf. The poster also included a QR code, which he labeled "Jai Shri Ram Discount Code." It appears that patients can scan this QR code to receive a Rs 500 discount on their fees at her private chamber in Ballygunge Faadi.

What is the offer?

Interventional cardiologist Dr P K Hazra put up a poster in his private clinic announcing the offer.

He has offered a unique offer to patients visiting his private clinic, announcing that any patient who chants "Jai Shri Ram" will receive a Rs 500 discount on his consultation fee. The poster of the announcement quickly went viral on social media, sparking a wave of political reactions.

Explaining his offer, Dr. Hazra stated that this initiative was his own personal idea and aimed to promote change in the state's healthcare system. He expressed concern that many patients from West Bengal travel to other states for treatment, and said that he wanted to promote better healthcare standards locally.

Dr. Hazra stated that his goal was to help financially disadvantaged patients. However, the announcement quickly escalated the issue from the medical world into a political debate, sparking sharp reactions on social media.

“I am not directly associated with the BJP, but I admire the way other states under their rule have progressed,” he said.

What did the Indian Medical Association say?

While the medical community has condemned this move by such a senior doctor, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengal has issued a notice to the doctor, demanding an explanation. The IMA has described this offer as contrary to medical ethics and professional conduct. 

Asking Dr. PK Hazra to explain the post and the reason behind it, IMA Bengal wrote that in a democratic country, everyone has the right to join or support any political party of their choice. However, discriminating against a patient's consultation fee based on their religion or political affiliation is completely against medical ethics and professional conduct.

The state IMA has warned Hazra that if he does not respond within three days of receiving the letter, action will be initiated against him. 

Did TMC express objection?

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) has expressed strong displeasure over this offer. 

Party leaders said that such initiatives could fuel religious and political divisions in society. The doctors should be completely impartial in their profession and should not discriminate against patients. 

The TMC has called this move against medical ethics and demanded the administration's attention to the matter. 

TMC leader Dr Nirmal Maji claimed that Hazra’s attempt was a game plan to get into the good books of the BJP.