Muslim doctor, Hindu aide spread message of peace

Patients coming out of doctor Kaseed Ali’s chamber in violence-hit Trimohini area of Basirhat town are carrying, apart from the medical prescription, advice on communal harmony.

Ali and his compounder Deboprasad Boiragi have been working together for nearly 35 years. Ali has made it a point to tell each of his patients that Boiragi has been no less than a family member and any loss to him would have been a personal loss to the Ali family. “Over the past five days, I was always tense about his family’s security. I told the local leaders from my community to ensure his safety. Fortunately, since I have been practising here for the past 45 years, the leaders took my advice seriously and Debu’s family is safe,” Ali said.

“Debu has been associated with me for the past 35 years and I find no difference between him and my two sons. I consider Debu’s wife my daughter-in-law and his children as my own grandchildren,” Ali says.

Boiragi said a doctor’s chamber is the right place to spread the message of communal harmony.

“We are telling everyone how our professional engagement led to emotional bonding between two families. This was normal for Basirhat. It is not that patients are unaware of these facts. But it is time we remind each other of the true character and traditions of Basirhat,” Boiragi said.

Close to his chamber is a medicine shop run by Benoy Krishna Pal, who was horrified by the violence at Trimohini. He even planned on leaving the town with his family, until a Muslim friend, Gazi, asked him not to.

However, Gazi refused to take any credit. “I did not do anything special to be thanked for. Anybody would have done the same to save a childhood friend. We are like brothers,” he said.