A pregnant Muslim woman in Kolkata was allegedly denied medical treatment by a doctor who cited the recent militant attack in Pahalgam as the reason for the refusal.
Dr. C. K. Sarkar, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Kasturi Das Memorial Super Speciality Hospital, allegedly denied treatment to a pregnant woman, stating, “After the Kashmir incident, I’m not going to see any Muslim patients.”
Hate campaigns against Muslims have surged following the attack in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. Gunmen targeted Hindu men, verifying their religious identities before firing, according to survivors.
“Hindus should kill your husband, then you’ll understand how they felt. We should ban all Muslims,” the doctor reportedly told the patient, who had been under her care for the past seven months.
“We are deeply disturbed and heartbroken to share this incident. My pregnant sister-in-law, who has been under the care of Dr. C. K. Sarkar for the past seven months, was appalled and outraged by his blatant refusal to treat her solely because we are Muslim,” wrote Advocate Mehfuza Khatun, a relative of the woman, on Facebook.
Calling it “a blatant act of discrimination,” she stated that it is not only unethical and inhumane but also a serious violation of medical ethics and human rights.
She said that this hateful and discriminatory statement has shattered her sister-in-law emotionally: “She has been crying ever since, distressed and afraid—not only for herself but for the life growing inside her. At a time when she needed support, compassion, and care, she was met with blatant prejudice and cruelty.”
“Refusing care to a pregnant woman in such a vulnerable stage can have severe consequences. Healthcare professionals are bound by their oath to treat all patients equally, regardless of religion, caste, or background,” read the post.
Emphasising that “healthcare is a basic right, not a privilege based on religion,” she demanded accountability and action against such discriminatory practices.
She urged the medical authorities, hospital administration, and human rights organisations to act immediately. Activist Mona Ambegaonkar called for a boycott of the doctor, stating that “she is a dangerous criminal.”
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