Muslim pregnant woman denied treatment by Indian doctor

In a distressing reflection of rising religious intolerance in India, a doctor in West Bengal refused to treat a pregnant Muslim woman, citing recent tensions following the Pahalgam incident.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, Dr. C.K. Sarkar, a gynecologist at Kasturi Das Memorial Super Specialty Hospital, refused to continue treating the woman — despite the fact that she had been under his care for the past seven months.

Advocate Mahfuza Khatoon, a relative of the patient, revealed that the doctor made deeply hateful remarks. She reported that after the recent Pahalgam attack, Dr. Sarkar said he would no longer treat any Muslim patients. Shockingly, he told the woman, "Hindus should kill your husband, then you will understand how it feels," and added that "all Muslims should be banned."

This disturbing incident comes amid a surge of hate speech and anti-Muslim propaganda on Indian social media following the Pahalgam incident, highlighting the deepening sectarian divide.

In a statement on Facebook, Advocate Mahfuza Khatoon condemned the doctor's actions as "blatant injustice and discrimination."

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She said her sister-in-law is now traumatized, crying continuously, and fearing not only for her own life but also for her unborn child.

She emphasized that denying treatment to a pregnant woman at such a critical time is a gross violation of medical ethics and fundamental human rights, and called for immediate action from hospital authorities, medical institutions, and human rights organizations.

Renowned social activist Mona Ambegaonkar also reacted strongly, calling Dr. Sarkar a "dangerous criminal" and urging the public to boycott him.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many expressing serious concern over the growing religious bias in India's healthcare system.