Bangladeshi patients must offer 'pranam' to Indian flag to get treatment, says West Bengal's doctor

In reaction to sensationalized reports in Indian media about the controversial Hindu scholar Chinmoy Das and discussions on internal matters, students from several educational institutions in Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh painted the Indian flag on their premises. This sparked controversy, with claims of disrespect to the Indian flag and rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. In response, a hospital in Kolkata announced a halt in treating Bangladeshi patients, a stance later adopted by other Indian hospitals. Meanwhile, Dr. Shikhar Bandopadhyay from Siliguri, West Bengal, stated he would still treat Bangladeshi patients but with one condition—they must salute the Indian flag before entering his clinic. Speaking to The Indian Express, he explained, “The disrespect to our flag in Bangladesh has deeply upset me. While I don’t wish to deny anyone medical care, those visiting our country must show respect for our flag.”