Kolkata : In a shocking display of religious discrimination, a pregnant Muslim woman was allegedly denied medical treatment by her long-time gynecologist, Dr. C. K. Sarkar, at Kasturi Das Memorial Super Speciality Hospital in Kolkata. The denial came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, with the doctor reportedly making communal and inflammatory remarks, reported the Bengal Times.
The woman, who had been under Dr. Sarkar’s care for the last seven months, was turned away with shocking comments, according to her relative, Advocate Mehfuza Khatun. Quoting the doctor, Khatun stated, “After the Kashmir incident, I’m not going to see any Muslim patients,” followed by even more hateful words like, “Hindus should kill your husband, then you’ll understand how they felt. We should ban all Muslims.”
This incident has sparked outrage across the country, especially within the Muslim community. Denying treatment to a pregnant woman in her final trimester not only defies the ethics of medical practice but also endangers the life of both mother and child. “She has been crying ever since. She’s terrified—not just for her own safety but for her unborn child,” said Khatun in a Facebook post condemning the act.
The attack in Pahalgam, where 26 Hindu tourists were tragically killed, has triggered a wave of Islamophobic reactions on social media and in public discourse. However, using such incidents to justify collective punishment and discrimination against innocent Muslims is both unjust and dangerous.
“Healthcare is a basic human right,” Khatun stated. “It cannot be denied on the basis of faith. Doctors are meant to heal without prejudice, not deepen the wounds of hatred.”
Noted activist and actress Mona Ambegaonkar condemned the doctor’s behavior, calling for accountability and labeling him a “dangerous criminal.” Many others online joined in demanding strict legal and professional action.
Such incidents underscore the growing need to protect minority communities from hate-driven discrimination, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare. This blatant Islamophobia not only violates medical ethics but also chips away at the values of justice and humanity.
