Indian Journal of Medical Ethics

CORRESPONDENCE

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20529/IJME.2009.056


Noble intentions can be dangerous

A long time ago, I had a T shirt, on the front of which was written: “I took the least travelled path and look where the hell I am!” Dr Binayak Sen’s case is no different. Dr Sen, who languished in jail for nearly two years (for a crime which is yet to be established), has taught me some things both about being an Indian and being a doctor. First, in India you cannot be an atheist because if the mighty state machinery wants to keep you behind bars and destroy your peace and well being: only God can save you. So you do need to believe in the almighty! Second, if you are a doctor, be very careful if you intend to practise in the under-served areas of the country. Many young doctors have such noble ideas but they should learn from Dr Sen’s experience. Many of us think of going to a downtrodden rural area to serve the ill and the poor. Dr Binayak Sen had the courage to do this, and look where he ended up.

I would like to congratulate the Chhattisgarh government for accomplishing what not many a despot can even think of doing, and that is to demoralise a whole generation of Indians like me through the methodical use of executive and judicial powers. It is even more frightening that the ruling BJP intends to use the so-called “Chhattisgarh model” across the country if it is voted to power in the current elections. I earnestly hope that their dream (and my nightmare) remains unfulfilled so that we do not see many more Binayak Sens languishing behind bars.

Shah Alam Khan, Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 INDIA e-mail: shahalamkhan@rediffmail.com