Kolkata, 30 November 2024 – JN Ray Hospital announced on Friday that it will indefinitely stop admitting Bangladeshi patients, citing recent anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh as the primary reason. The hospital, in a strongly worded statement, attributed the decision to “insults against India” and attacks on minority communities in the neighboring country.
Hospital official Subhranshu Bhakt explained the move, stating, “Starting today, no Bangladeshi patient will be admitted. This step is a protest against atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh and the dishonor shown to our tricolour.”
The decision comes against the backdrop of violent attacks on Hindu temples in Chattogram, which have further strained India-Bangladesh relations. On Friday, a mob vandalized three temples—Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple—in Harish Chandra Munsef Lane.
According to reports from BDNews24.com, the incident occurred around 2:30 pm when a mob, chanting slogans, pelted bricks at the temples. Abdul Karim, chief of Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the attack, saying the damage was minimal but tensions in the area were high. Temple committee member Tapan Das added, “A procession of hundreds arrived after Juma prayers, chanting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans. The Army had to intervene to restore peace.”
The violence followed the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON leader, on sedition charges earlier in the week. His detention and the subsequent denial of bail have sparked protests from the Hindu community across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka and Chattogram.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the escalating violence during a parliamentary session, calling on Bangladesh to fulfill its responsibility of protecting all citizens, including its minorities. “The rise in extremist rhetoric and violence is deeply concerning and unacceptable,” Jaishankar said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh lodged formal protests over demonstrations outside its deputy high commission in Kolkata, urging India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff.
As tensions continue to rise, the halt in medical services for Bangladeshi patients adds another layer of strain to the already sensitive bilateral relationship between the two nations.
