How Can a Doctor Stoop So Low?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam

22 April 2026

Three patients with cardiac ailments received a discount of Rs 500 each for saying Jai Shri Ram in Kolkata on Monday, April 13.

City-based intensive cardiologist Dr Prakash Kumar Hazra had on Sunday afternoon issued the offer of a discount – with a QR code to boot – to all patients who say “Jai Shri Ram”.

“I am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Jai Shri Ram is not a religious slogan. It is a political slogan,” the senior cardiologist told The Telegraph Online on Monday.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/kolkata/kolkata-cardiologist-gives-rs-500-discount-to-each-patient-who-says-jai-shri-ram/cid/2155922#goog_rewarded

This is now national news. How can a doctor stoop so low? Medical profession is considered the noblest profession and a doctor is seen as the epitome of ethical behavior. Agreed, very few doctors follow ethics in this age but this 'famous' cardiologist from Calcutta has surpassed all unethical medicos. Saying in public that who'll say Jai Shri Ram will get the discount of 500 rupees is unthinkable and totally unbecoming of a doctor. People have their religious and political leanings. But shamelessly flaunting one's political allegiance is a strict no-no (for a doctor and teacher). Even the 'doctors' like Zakir Naik and Pravin Togadia, two rabid preachers from two communities who are qualified doctors, haven't stooped so low as to discriminate among their patients. But this man has hit the nadir and brought the whole medical fraternity into disrepute. Now Jai Shri Ram has become a metaphor for a war cry and a byword for zealotry among the Hindus. This is sad as well as alarming.

IMA must cancel his registration forthwith. But will that be possible, considering the fact that he sings paeans to the current political dispensation and calls himself a devout Hindu? No wonder, if tomorrow this biased cardiologist becomes a political bigwig. Jai Shri Ram! Chant it to survive in New India.

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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.

URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/how-can-doctor-stoop-so-low/d/139752

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