Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • Calcutta High Court rules in favour of medical student with mental disorder who was denied admission

Calcutta High Court rules in favour of medical student with mental disorder who was denied admission

Accessibility April 13, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

“The order sets a precedent, a great precedent, says Advocate Biswarup Bhattacharya celebrating the Calcutta High Court order directing the West Bengal Health University to admit Tathagata Ghosh, a youth with schizoaffective disorder, to the MBBS course.

The court has also ordered the government to pay Tathagata a compensation of Rs three lakh for denying him admission last year because of his medical condition.

Tathagata, who is 20 years old, secured a pan India rank of 420 in the disabled category in the medical entrance exam. He was granted admission to the MBBS course at NRS Medical College and Hospital. However, the college refused to admit him because of his condition.

All medical colleges in Bengal are affiliated to the health university and Tathagata appealed to the university to allow him to study MBBS. When that went unheard, he moved the High Court.

The court ruled in his favour and said Tathagata had the right to study as university rules did not bar people with schizophrenia from studying for an MBBS degree. The university challenged the order, saying a person with schizophrenia should not be allowed to become a doctor keeping in mind “patient safety. The bench has rejected the argument and directed the university to admit Tathagata in the coming academic year.

Tathagata was examined by the Calcutta Medical College and diagnosed with over 40% disability. He is not a mental patient but has certain disorders not found in so-called normal people. Throughout the case Tathagata was extremely vigilant and even referred to earlier Supreme Court judgements. What we told the judge was that there was no precedent that could be used to deny him admission in any course, not just MBBS. – Biswarup Bhattacharya, Advocate, Calcutta High Court

Advocate Bhattacharya also told the court that the university’s refusal to heed the earlier order amounted to not only harassment but also the loss of an academic year.

When I took up his case in September 2018, there was attempt to make Tathagata a laughing stock with many people making comments like someone mad is being given MBBS admission, says Bhattacharya. “But when you interact with him you will find he is like anyone else. Besides mental disorders are there in many people, like some people shout and scream a lot but are they being denied admission into MBBS?

Prominent Kolkata-based disability rights activist Shampa Sengupta believes that the ruling will help fight stigma in the long run.

“It is an extremely important order. I have seen some colleges ask during admission procedure to state that the candidates do not have mental illness. I have seen students rusticated because of mental health conditions. I also feel that people will come out about their mental illness as the present RPWD Act gives reservations for mental disorders, which the previous one did not. This will help us to fight the stigma in the future.

Speaking to the media after the verdict, Tathagata expressed his happiness saying, “My dream has come true. I strongly believe I will be a good doctor. Hopefully the fight he has fought will save many others a similar struggle.

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
  • Get-hooked
    Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later
  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Accessibility

Toybank - Development through Play is enabling disabled kids to discover the power of play

Get-hooked

Film with a cast of over 80 people with disabilities to release worldwide in November

Get-hooked

Understanding Headaches in Children with Autism

Get-hooked

Aasmaan Foundation’s new inclusive music video ‘Olangal’ is now creating waves on social media

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.