A doctor from West Bengal's Kolkata has come up with a unique initiative, offering discounts to patients for saying ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Taking to social media, Dr PK Hazra said any patient visiting him for consultation and saying ‘Jai Shri Ram’ will receive a discount of ₹500. While Dr Hazra called it a ‘purely service initiative’ to help the BJP, the medical association called it against medical ethics.
Explaining the objective of the discount, Dr PK Hazra said that his intention was to “support BJP mentally”. “I believe in supporting them…there is nothing unethical or political slogan-based in it,” he said.
The post was shared by Hazra on his Facebook account, featuring him donning a cap and a scarf with the BJP's symbol. The photo was accompanied by a QR code, along with which he wrote ‘Jai Shree Ram Discount code,’ Times of India reported.
What Dr Hazra said
Hazra's post triggered a strong reaction from many across the internet. Following this, he called the discount “purely a service initiative.” He explained that the consultation fee was earlier ₹2000 in his clinic, which was reduced to ₹1500 to "help people before elections. He then decided to reduce it further.
{{/usCountry}}Hazra's post triggered a strong reaction from many across the internet. Following this, he called the discount “purely a service initiative.” He explained that the consultation fee was earlier ₹2000 in his clinic, which was reduced to ₹1500 to "help people before elections. He then decided to reduce it further.
{{/usCountry}}The interventional cardiologist also confirmed that the idea behind the post was that he wanted to “contest this election as a BJP candidate.”
“I am a pro nationalist,” he said, adding that the discount does not discriminate between any religion. Hazra said his first intention was to give concessions to the needy people, while his second intention was to “mobilise people and give their vote to the BJP,” he told ANI.
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Medical association calls it against medical ethics
The Indian Medical Association questioned Hazra over the post and asked him to explain himself. IMA Bengal described Hazra's discount as against medical ethics and professional conduct, Times of India reported. 'Now, anyone who shows this will be charged ₹1000 for consultation," he told IANS.
In a letter to Hazra, IMA reportedly wrote that while everyone has the right to support any political party, discriminating a patient's consultation fee based on their religion or political affiliation is against medical ethics.