The former MP warns against attempts to divide society along communal lines across the country
LUCKNOW – Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Moradabad MP Dr ST Hasan has sharply criticised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for issuing a controversial appeal urging people to consult doctors based on their religion. Dr Hasan described the VHP’s statement as “not a cure, it’s a disease,” warning that such communal campaigns could seriously disrupt social harmony in the country.
Addressing the issue, Dr Hasan said, “Such people are spreading communalism by finding a different angle on every issue. They are constantly working to poison society.” He emphasised that in his profession, patients are never seen as Hindu or Muslim. “It is our faith to provide the best possible treatment to the patient,” he added.
The controversy arose after the VHP asked members of the majority community to seek treatment only from Hindu doctors, citing the names on their signboards. This appeal has provoked strong opposition from people across all religious communities, who view it as an attempt to create divisions and fuel communal tension.
Highlighting the social responsibility of medical professionals, Dr Hasan said, “Doctors’ job is to save patients’ lives, not to discriminate based on religion. Whenever we treat a patient, we never think about whether they are Hindu or Muslim, but rather to save their lives.” He added, “80 percent of our patients are Muslims because they belong to poor communities. Most diseases are often found among the poor.”
Dr Hasan also addressed concerns about doctors allegedly involved in terrorist activities. “If a few doctors are involved in terrorist activities, and if this is proven in court, they should be hanged,” he said. “But until a court verdict is delivered, doctors should not be publicly defamed with aggressive statements. Their profession demands respect and fairness.”
Criticising the VHP’s broader approach, Dr Hasan alleged, “The VHP’s sole purpose is to create a Hindu-Muslim divide. They try to spread communalism by using this angle in every issue. They have no concern for the country and its harmony, and these same people sided with the British during the War of Independence.”
Dr Hasan’s comments have resonated with local communities concerned about attempts to divide society along religious lines. Residents have welcomed his call for maintaining communal harmony and upholding the professional and ethical responsibilities of doctors.
“The VHP is trying to politicise and communalise every aspect of society, including healthcare,” said Dr Hasan.
“If Muslims choose not to go to Hindu doctors, and Hindus choose not to go to Muslim doctors, it will harm not only patients but also doctors, especially Hindu doctors serving poor communities.”
As tensions rise, political leaders and social activists have called for restraint and unity, urging citizens to resist divisive appeals and maintain social cohesion. Dr Hasan’s statement highlights the importance of protecting minority communities and ensuring that communal harmony remains a priority in the country’s public life.
