BJP Protest in Kolkata Against Treatment of Non-Hindu Bangladeshi Patients

Kolkata:  BJP workers staged a protest outside a private hospital in Kolkata’s Mukundpur area on Saturday, demanding that the hospital cease treatment for non-Hindu Bangladeshi patients. The protest, organized under the banner of ‘Salute Tiranga,’ is set to expand to other private hospitals in the city.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the hospital, stating, “Country comes first… our brothers and sisters are being tortured and killed over there. No medical treatment should be provided to non-Hindu Bangladeshis.”

Narayan Chatterjee, a member of the group, expressed their concerns, saying, “We are pained by what is happening to our minority Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. They are being tortured and killed. This must stop. Nation always comes first.”

The protestors also emphasized their patriotism, with the rally being marked by chants of “Salute Tiranga” in support of India’s national flag. They have vowed to take their demonstrations to other private hospitals in Kolkata.

Earlier this month, a Kolkata hospital had announced that it would no longer admit patients from Bangladesh, citing alleged disrespect of the Indian national flag in the neighboring country. Other hospitals followed suit, citing similar reasons related to the desecration of the national flag.

Tensions have also affected cultural and academic exchanges, with stalls from Bangladesh missing at major Kolkata events like the International Book Fair and the International Film Festival. Additionally, a literary festival at Visva-Bharati University saw no Bangladeshi participation due to visa issues.

The protest reflects growing political tensions between India and Bangladesh, especially concerning the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.