BMC hospitals deliberately remove beard of Muslim Patients: SP leader Rais Shaikh

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Rais Shaikh alleged that the hospitals under Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deliberately cut off the beard of Muslim patients even in the case of ‘minor operations’. Shaikh wrote to the BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta demanding the same to be stopped. 

SP MLA Abu Azmi has come in support of the demands made by Rais Shaikh. Labelling the doctors as “butchers”, Azmi claimed that the beard of a Hindu saint is not removed during the treatment but it happens to the Muslim patients. 

While talking to the media, Azmi asserted that the beard of Muslim patients in the government hospitals is removed deliberately but in a private hospital, the same is done if it is necessary.  

In the letter addressed to the BMC commissioner, Shaikh explained the issue by expressing that the beard has importance in Islam and the sentiments of the Muslims shouldn’t be hurt in the name of treatment. In case of need, the hospital should take permission from the family before removing the beard. 

The other political parties have criticised Abu Azmi for his remarks. Accusing SP of Muslims appeasement, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik has rubbished the demand made by SP regarding the issue.

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Speaking on Azmi’s remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan said that this remarks is wrong and politicises the issue. Mahajan asserted that one should not mix religion with doctor’s decision.