The All-India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), West Bengal State Committee, has issued a statement strongly condemning an incident of communal discrimination within the medical profession. The association has demanded the immediate arrest and medical licence cancellation of Dr Champakali Sarkar, a Kolkata-based gynaecologist.
According to media reports, Dr Champakali, a practising obstetrician-gynaecologist in Maheshtala, refused to continue treatment for a pregnant Muslim woman who had been under her care for seven months. The refusal reportedly came in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Shockingly, Dr Champakali allegedly referred to the patient as a “terrorist” and a “murderer.”
AIPWA strongly denounced the doctor’s actions, stating that such behaviour constitutes a serious threat to the physical and mental well-being of a pregnant woman. “Healthcare is a fundamental right,” AIPWA said in its statement. “Any form of religious discrimination in medical treatment is unconstitutional and violates the ethical code of the Medical Council of India.”
AIPWA also expressed concern over the rising communal polarisation in the wake of the Kashmir incident, accusing the BJP-RSS ecosystem of exploiting the tragedy to promote Islamophobia and disturb social harmony across the country.
Calling for a detailed investigation into the incident, AIPWA demanded for strict legal and professional action against doctor, including her arrest and revocation from medical practice.
