Row over demon as fake doctor in Kolkata Durga Puja, Mamata intervenes (Lead)

Kolkata Sep 23 (IANS) 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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