Subarna Goswami: Hero or Villain?
The intriguing journey of Dr. Subarna Goswami, a government physician in East Burdwan, whose outspoken support for junior doctors in the R G KAR movement has made him a polarising figure.
In the murky waters of medical politics, few figures stir up as much controversy as Subarna Goswami. A government doctor currently serving as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health in East Burdwan, he has become something of a polarising icon. Some junior doctors view him as a ‘pathfinder’ in the ongoing ARJI KOR movement, while others, particularly members of the ruling party, have affectionately dubbed him ‘Bichitro Birjo’—a rather cheeky jab that leaves one chuckling, even amid the chaos.
With a career spanning over two decades, Goswami has had a rather itinerant existence, being transferred a staggering 13 times—four times during the Left Front’s reign and nine times under the TMC. Allegations of dereliction of duty and absenteeism have followed him like a persistent shadow. However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s been at the forefront of protests, bravely confronting the administration in support of junior doctors.
Goswami has been spotted passionately joining marches, rallying against the government, and even partaking in ‘symbolic’ hunger strikes at Dharmatala. It’s not surprising that the ruling party would take aim at him, but the use of the moniker ‘Bichitra Birya’ is truly a masterclass in mockery. Ironically, it stems from a comment of his own—a remark about the forensic report on the victim in the R G KAR case that raised more than a few eyebrows.
He stirred quite the hornet’s nest when he claimed that the autopsy revealed over 150 grams of liquid sample, which he cheekily suggested could be ‘blood-stained semen’. Naturally, the police force had a field day with this, quipping among themselves that it would take an army of bulls to produce that amount of ‘material’. In the theatre of social media, the term ‘Bichitro Birjo’ quickly became a trending topic, with memes popping up faster than you could say “foul play”.
Yet, when pressed about his infamous 150 grams, Goswami insists he never made such a claim. Instead, he clarifies, “I said 151 grams of a specific sample, which contained a thick, whitish fluid. If tested, it’s more likely to be semen.”
Well, as they say, “It’s all in the details.” When challenged on whether the measurement unit for semen should be in grams rather than milligrams, he fired back, “Those questioning me don’t know their medical science or forensic science! They’ve not even seen the autopsy report. It’s sheer ignorance that leads the TMC’s IT cell to spread such nonsense.”
Now, that’s a bold stance! Speaking of the autopsy report, it was indeed rather coy in its description, referring to a ‘thick, whitish fluid’ found in the endocervical canal without explicitly mentioning ‘semen’.
Goswami’s journey began in 2004, kicking off his career as a medical officer in Birbhum. He was not shy about speaking out against corruption, even taking his complaints to the then MP Ramchandra Dome and eventually the Health Minister at the time, Surjya Kanta Mishra. “Corruption is rampant in both Left and TMC regimes,” he asserts, citing the job scandals that began post-2021. It’s no surprise that he finds himself perpetually in the crosshairs of the powers that be.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty couldn’t resist taking a potshot: “Why does he only remember the corruption of 2021? What about back in 2003 when he was busy with his SFI antics? The man is all talk!”
Indeed, the political arena has its share of drama. Recently, the TMC even dragged his name into a case of a mysterious death of a medical student, attempting to paint him with the same brush. Goswami, however, remains unperturbed, firmly stating, “My integrity as a doctor and activist will not be tarnished. The movement of doctors will not be silenced.”
With five years spent in Alipurduar and then being whisked off to Kurseong during the COVID crisis, his story reads like a medical soap opera. Now, in Burdwan, he says, “Every time I face a transfer, I see it as a badge of honour for my efforts against corruption. It’s my reward for standing up for what’s right!”
As for whether he takes comfort in being labelled ‘Bichitro Birjo’, he laughs, “We’ve thrown a spanner in the works of institutional corruption! I’m not bothered by their jibes. The respect I earn from the community far outweighs any mockery.”
And there you have it—a tale of a doctor caught in a whirlwind of political skirmishes, medical ethics, and a hefty dose of humour. Whether Subarna Goswami is a hero or a villain may depend on whom you ask, but one thing’s for certain: he’s certainly not fading into the background anytime soon!
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