Kolkata's Medical College ENT Professor accused of calling 2 interns 'militants' faces backlash

Kolkata: A remark by a senior professor at the Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata recently sparked outrage on campus after he allegedly called two intern doctors “militants” based on their appearance.

According to media reports, the professor, a faculty member in the ENT department, allegedly referred to two interns as “militants” based on their attire and beards, which reportedly upset many students and led to a protest on the campus. 

The situation escalated due to the current situation in India following the recent Indo-Pak tensions. The students found the professor's remark on the two interns inappropriate

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Demanding action against the professor, the students staged a protest inside the hospital premises. Later, they also filed a written complaint against the professor with the hospital administration, leading to the set-up of an enquiry committee.

However, the professor addressed the issue and met with the students. Offering an apology, he clarified that his comment was not intended to offend but was made in a casual manner. He explained that it was never meant as a racial insult and assured the students that he would refrain from making such remarks in the future.

The enquiry committee, formed by the hospital authorities under the leadership of hospital superintendent Dr Anjan Adhikari, following the students' complaint, interrogated the professor and held its first round of meetings on Wednesday, with deliberations continuing into Thursday.

The committee also confirmed that the professor had no intention to hurt the students. According to the committee’s findings, it was a misunderstanding that led to the controversy.

An India Today source familiar with the investigation said, “During the questioning, he admitted the allegation, saying that it was not his intention to hurt the interns. Dr *** has explained the allegation as a miscommunication and misunderstanding.”

Describing the incident as 'serious', Dr Anjan Adhikari, the hospital superintendent and head of the enquiry panel, said, "This was a serious allegation levelled by our students against one of our faculty. We have questioned him, and the teacher expressed that he made the comment with no intention to hurt them, but the students were also very sensitive, you know the current situation."

He further said, "Our higher authorities have constituted a committee chaired by me. There was good interaction with the students and the faculties yesterday. Both became satisfied, both interacted with themselves. Everyone expressed their understanding. There was a settlement about the issue yesterday after the teacher apologised."

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