Row over demon as 'fake doctor' in Kolkata Durga Puja, Mamata intervenes

Amid a massive crackdown by the West Bengal CID to net fake doctors, a controversy erupted at a Durga Puja celebration here on Saturday over a depiction of clay idol of an 'asura' (demon) as a doctor.

The marquee of Mohammed Ali Park Durga Puja showcased a demon in the garb of a doctor -- with a doctor's white coat and stethoscope -- signifying the menace of fake doctors, leading to a protest from the medical fraternity.

However the idol (shown taking money) was removed, following a request by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"The Chief Minister called me up to request removal of the model. In accordance with her wish, we are not placing any idol in a doctor's attire," said Dinesh Bajaj of the Mohammed Ali Park puja committee.

The organisers were earlier forced to put up a disclaimer (in the form of a placard) over the figure of the doctor following protests by the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) West Bengal chapter.

Santanu Sen, State Secretary IMA Bengal, had asked the organisers to "rectify" the same within 24 hours, ahead of the marquee's inauguration on Sunday, warning of the "worst possible consequences."

"We have hung a placard clarifying that we are against the demon-like fake doctors but we respect the real ones. Our theme was to showcase the evil in society and not to harm anyone's reputation or insult the physicians' fraternity," Bajaj had said.

--IANS

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