Bengal doctor’s ‘Jai Shri Ram discount’ sparks ethical concerns amid elections

A doctor in West Bengal, PK Hazra, has come under scrutiny after offering a ₹500 discount to patients who say ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ a move that has raised serious questions about the politicisation of healthcare during an election period.

According to his statements in an interview with a news agency, Hazra said he is influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideology and has long wanted to support the Bharatiya Janata Party. As part of this, he introduced what he calls a ‘Jai Shri Ram QR’ initiative at his clinic.

Under this scheme, patients who display or say the slogan are given an additional ₹500 discount. Hazra stated that while his consultation fee was earlier ₹2000, it had already been reduced to ₹1500 during the election period, and with this new offer, eligible patients would pay ₹1000.

He further claimed that the slogan is purely political rather than religious and argued that the initiative is aimed at helping people afford treatment. He also suggested that if more doctors adopt similar approaches, it could reduce public dissatisfaction toward the medical profession of charging enormous fees.

Netizens reacting to the news said “Glad he clarified that it's political and not religious. It's really just the playbook of BJP as well. Jai Shri Ram is a political tool to divide society with hate. Nothing to do with Ram bhakti.”

Others wrote “JAI SHRI RAM is a PROMOCODE. Use it to get discounts.”

One more said “He should be stripped of his qualifications and not allowed to work and treat patients. He can join the BjP and treat the ministers there.”

Although this practice raised ethical concerns among netizens, some even supported this move and said “His clinic... His choice

Why are you worried? Is this in any way against the constitution?

Another user wrote “This is just peanuts compared to what Christian missionaries & Islamists do. In my village, a 12-13 yr old kid got blood cancer. His parents took him to a missionary hospital in Vellore. They were offered free treatment... but only if they converted to Christianity.”