Tensions Rise in Kolkata: BJP Protests Against Hospital's Treatment of Non-Hindu Bangladeshi Patients

Protesters rallying under the 'Salute Tiranga' banner are determined to broaden their demonstrations, targeting all private hospitals in their movement. Their goal is to amplify their message and push for change within the healthcare sector.

P24 News Media

December 22, 2024

1 minute

Tensions Rise in Kolkata: BJP Protests Against Hospital's Treatment of Non-Hindu Bangladeshi Patients

India

A collective of Bharatiya Janata Party activists initiated a demonstration in the Mukundpur region of Kolkata on Saturday, insisting that a private medical facility cease treating non-Hindu patients hailing from Bangladesh. This rally was organized under the banner of the 'Bengali Hindu Suraksha Samiti,' led by prominent BJP figure Locket Chatterjee and accompanied by religious monks. Their protest specifically addressed the persecution faced by minorities in Bangladesh.

During the demonstration, the activists presented a memorandum to the hospital, articulating their stance that prioritizes national allegiance. The document emphasized, "Country must come first… our fellow citizens are suffering and being subjected to violence across the border. Therefore, treatment should be denied to non-Hindu individuals from Bangladesh." The sentiment expressed called for ethical considerations to be set aside in favor of national respect, highlighting the Indian flag—referred to as the Tiranga—as a symbol of unity and pride.

One protester, Narayan Chatterjee, poignantly expressed their anguish over the plight of minority Hindu populations in Bangladesh, stating, “We are devastated by the violence inflicted upon our Hindu brothers and sisters. The atrocities they face need to be halted. Our nation must always take precedence.” The group, mobilizing under the 'Salute Tiranga' initiative, has committed to broadening their actions to target all private hospitals, affirming that they have already conducted similar protests at another facility.

This protest comes on the heels of a recent declaration by a 141-bed hospital in Kolkata, which stated it would no longer accept patients from Bangladesh as a form of protest against what they described as disrespect towards the Indian national flag during ongoing unrest in the neighboring country. Another medical institution in Kolkata had echoed similar sentiments, citing the desecration of the Indian flag in various locations in Bangladesh as a catalyst for their decision.

The impact of these tensions extends beyond healthcare facilities. For the first time, stalls from Bangladesh have been absent from two significant events in Kolkata—namely, the Kolkata International Book Fair and the Bidhannagar Mela Utsav, organized by the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Additionally, Bangladesh was not represented at the 30th International Film Festival in Kolkata, owing to visa complications.

Furthermore, a recent Bengali literary festival held at Visva-Bharati University’s Bangladesh Bhavan saw a notable absence of participants from Bangladesh, attributed to reports of visa denials for several writers and poets amid escalating political strife between India and its neighboring country. This series of events signals a growing divide influenced by national sentiments and diplomatic tensions, affecting cultural exchanges and healthcare access alike.

As the situation develops, the consequences of these protests could have far-reaching implications, not only for the medical sector but also for cultural relations between India and Bangladesh. The campaign by the BJP and its affiliates sheds light on a significant socio-political narrative, emphasizing the way in which nationalism can intertwine with various sectors of society, from healthcare to cultural representation.