These stupid religions and cultures need to get over their stupid laws. This was a woman in need! Who cares if she was low on the totem pole!

Was she wearing a shirt that read, “I’m untouchable?” Was it on her ID card? Good grief! Imagine the repentance if they found they’d shunned one worthy of care.

What a disgrace. Think of the outcry if this happened here (and please, no one mention the Hillary story that she purported some weeks ago - most of her facts in that tale were wrong).

If the country with the second largest population in the world operates in such an ignorant way, I fear for the future of humanity!

I hope they fire and jail all those who refused to touch the woman or her newborn. DESPICABLE!

At least Dr. Kiran Pandey tried to get back there.

I have never left a comment about a particular story before, but I feel compelled to do so today. What an utterly disgusting thing to do to a defencless baby and its mother. These doctors and nurse think they are better then that poor woman but they are not! She and her baby were people just like them and deserved to be treated so. The doctors said they tried their best,but in their hearts they know the truth. The death of both mother and child, the reaction of the media and of world media show how much they meant. I’m lucky, I have a good standard of living and money. I can’t imagine what it would be like to know that your child was just left to die and the same thing is going to happen to you. Shame on them that let it happen!

FIRE AND JAIL THEM ALL!

I will never understand 3rd world countries. No wonder they ALL want to come here.

utterly disgusting, it’s behavior like this that holds this world back from being the beautiful place God intended.

I think this is DISGUSTING! Those people need to be fired and their license taken away.. What has the world come to when people are more in focus of their “social standing” then to be a human and help others..SICK!

Only comment I can make is that this is disgusting. Stupid, ignorant people.

Wouldn’t it be great if the medical professionals in the US adopted a similar “hands-off” policy towards the thousands of criminal immigrants in the US. Doing so would certainly send a clear message that America is no longer going to line the pockets of criminal immigrants by providing free medical treatment.

We need a similar policy here in the USA for illegal immigrants. I’m tired of paying to support these people - this country is nearly in a recession and I do not have the money to support free illegal immigrant healthcare. If some Americans want to voluntairly give their hard earned money to the illegals they should be able to do so. But our laws should not force every American to support illegal immigrants.

Multiculturalists take note. Some cultures are unquestionably inferior to ours!

….And people complain about our health care system!

People in this country (USA) shouldn’t complain about our health care system! That simply would NOT happen here!

This would never happen in the US.. freaking despicable…

Every American reading this story should get on their knees and thank God you live in the United States. Admist economic troubles, rising gas prices and the Iraq war, I am so thankful I am an American…look at the alternatives. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. God Bless the USA!!!

How much money has America given to the Indian Nation? How mwny times have we, (America) helped them when they have had one of their “many” natural disasters? Now…How much money is the every day American spending everytime we purchase some form of merchandise at walmart? Merchandise made in India?
The time has come to tell India that if they want more of our money they have got to enter the 21st century and stop this moronic and pre cave-man stupidity!

The Indian caste system obviously is still in effect. I would encourage a system reform in the US where if a person comes here for medical training that they will uphold the philisophy of “first do no harm,” and perhaps some other basic medical treatment rights that all should have access to once they’re at the hospital.

As for the doctor, the hopsital, the hospital system and government of India… SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! This is a disgrace and behavior like this is sad and ignorant.

Hollingsworth got it right.

That is wrong! Those doctors should be responsible for their deaths. How can you just let one die without helping them, especially someone who is giving birth? Everyone is created equal so should be treated equal. I hope those doctors feel ashame of themselves for letting someone die like that without any help. You will burn in hell!

The AMENDMENTS should apply there as well……….

This is truly a tragedy. Her family should sue the hospital. I am sure they will be awarded millions but most importantly, it will send a clear message to the hospital industry that such behavior will NOT be tolerated!!

Like some of the others leaving a reply to this story, I have never left one before. However, I too must comment at this time. Having been in the military, I’ve been to most countries in the world. From the children that get “thrown away” in Brasil or pimped by their own families in Chile….to the Turkish women forced into prostitution in order to pay off their husbands debts there seems to be no end to the injustice. This story reminds me of those places and those customs. Despite the religious differences between Christianity and Hindus, or Islam, etc…the medical code states that doctors and nurses must treat and not do harm. The mere action of not doing anything in this case is going directly against that oath. Therefore everyone involved, who did not help should get their license pulled. On the religious front, God has created us in his image and therefore given each human life value. Furthermore, he has said, in various doctorine that we are in fact our brother’s keeper. So, no matter what happens to these folks in this life, we each stand in judgement.

How can anyone, especially doctors, who are suppose to save lives, stand there and let this woman and her baby suffer such an unnecessary death, just because she was poor. It’s disgusting. It’s very sad! They should all be ashamed of themselves. And I can assure you Maya and her little one are in a better place. Hiding behind religion and beliefs to do something evil, pathetic!

i believe those doctors should be charged with manslaughter. They are suppose to help save lives regardless of ones economic standing.Her and her baby were human beings and deserve being respected as such.

I have to say that Bruce’s comment was very well stated, however; the issue is that a baby and mother should not have exited this world being treated like animals. These so called medical staff have no respect for the human life, therefore they should not be practicing medicine. This so called staff is a bunch of idiots!

this article almost brought me to tears…how can some people be so irrogant…It’s a mother giving birth, a precious little being…that’s coming here to see the world for the first time. and for the baby and the mother to experience this and to die because of some closed minded, irrogant doctors?…totally infuriates me.. I’m so disgusted with India’s so called caste system or whatever…

you people in India at the higher level of the caste system would be nothing without the ‘untouchables’…you would have no nice houses to live…or food…anything…and for you people to treat those people taht way are disgusting…if the roles were switched…how would you feel?…how would you react?…how would it change your view about society in your country?…

you people are despicable!!!!

While the terms “disgusting” and “despicable” probably do apply in some way, I think “tragic” and “heartbreaking” are more to the point. My son lived in India for a year. If I understood correctly what he saw there, the people are very rooted in tradition. So the caste system is very much alive. As an example, he said the people who cleaned his apartment building acted very subservient to him. He certainly did not expect this, but it was the way their society worked. Getting angry with their religion or their culture will not solve anything. The only thing I know that will change the caste system, or any of the other negative societal norms in India, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although the Christian religion may have its problems, true followers of Jesus Christ believe that every human being is of infinite value to God, and therefore should be treated with equal respect — regardless of color, social standing, education, appearance, or anything else. My heart goes out to those in India who have not experienced the freedom and worth Jesus Christ gives.

I placed a comment on here earlier that was simple and told how I felt at the moment. Now I have a little more to say. After coming back to this article and reading some other comments, I can’t help but to see how much the American people take for granted. I saw a comment stating the victim’s family should sue, and the outcome would being the family getting millions. I saw a comment about the doctors in India having no regard for human life and yet another stating the doctors should be charged with manslaughter. None of this would happen in India…most countries don’t have the civil court system we have. Americans are quick to sue, and get settlement. This doesn’t happen in other countries. Most third world world countries don’t have the same regard for life we have. Therefore, her life as a commoner wasn’t respected and the doctors will NOT be held accountable, in either civil or criminal court. That is their way of life. That mommy and baby have been forgotten already in India, but the fact that she has not been forgotten here, shows the world how wonderful the American spirit is. Again, get down on your knees and thank your Lord, whoever it may be (you have that right because you’re an American), that you have the priviledge to call yourself an American. And while I’m on my soapbox; because of the courage and selflessness of the American Soldier, you have a choice on how you live your life and who you worship. We are lucky people.

Are you kidding me? How ridiculous is this? I can not believe they let a woman and her child die because of her social class! This is so terrible.

I have just returned from India after working in a Hospital in S.E, India. From what I learned during my visit, what you have described is not uncommon. To this day, The Untouchables are typically denied access to health care. Government Hospitals exist to take care of Uninsured patients as well as The Untouchables. However The services rendered by Government Hospitals are said to be ” Notoriously Deficient ” The Hospital mentioned in your report was most likely a Private Hospital.

Having lived in India for a short time years ago, it is not surprising..most dogs had higher social status than the Dalit’s..How many in the US would trade our racial and social issues for issues in India?

There is a special place next to the fire for these people. “Love one another as I have loved you” obviously doesn’t apply. I’m tired of being politically correct. These kind of people who believe in Allah, Budah, etc. are all going to hell. It’s all BS. I am so glad I am a Christian American.

Just think of all the babies who are murdered needlessly everyday because they are thought to be a mistake or just an inconvenience. hmmm sad story over there…sad story over here too.

No religion in the world ( except islam ) says that other religions are BS.
Stacie, are you reading this? You THINK you’re a christian, but your thoughts lead me to believe that you belong to an islam-like religion.

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH RELIGION OR THE LAWS OF INDIA!!..

This is completely illegal in India.. and I am sure the doctor will end up in prison.. this is an isolated case of someone being a stupid, irresponsible jerk!.. don’t blame the religion or the laws of India..

Thats like saying American schools allow kids to carry guns into schools .. judging from the amount of gun violence in schools..

anyway.. yea, it is horrible.. I hope the doctor rots in jail.

I can’t believe this is a true story. There is some thing wrong in this news. No official can say that the medical procedure was denied because of the race, culture, class, or origin.

I believe the reporter might have been misled by the false allegations made by the local aggravated people. This is an unfortunate event and everyone should feel sorry for the family.

It could have been a situation where medical attention was not given to the patient in the timely fashion.

hard to believe heathens like this are still on the panet. Can’t someone jerk them by their little skirts and drag them into the 21st century.

Why did this woman get the attention? Such discrimination is a lifestyle in India. The real question is what are you doing to help these people - would you take a lice infested woman who may have taken her monthly bath 29 days ago into your home - if not, hush and support those who will. For once do something real. We did - our daughter is in Kathmandu, Nepal - and yes, it cost some, and it hurt even more to let her go.

wow….thats just unbelievable. its another reason why i’m happy and lucky to be born in the good old u.s.a.
i couldn’t imagine being denied medical attention because i’m at the bottom of the totem pole.
discrimination is a terrible thing.

being poor doesnt mean u should die!

USA does a similar thing!

dont allow any woman with child wait for a physician!life is an emergency!

Blame it to the government. This type of third world countries do not have sets of laws and policies to stop discrimination or prejudice. So sad… it hurts. I give them thoughts and prayers. I hope she is with her child.

Just one more example of the bad things done in the name of religion. War, prejudice, neglect, hatred…justified by religion. I’m not a athiest. Far from it. I would say it’s a sign of the times, but then I remember the crusades, Roman/Jewish persecution of Christians, Catholic persecution of protestants, Shia versus Suni, Hindu-Muslim conflicts, Christian versus Pagans, etc…. I also see notes about this not happening in the USA. Has anyone seen the difference between a county hospital and a private hospital? Sure they don’t turn them away. They just make the poor wait forever in the emergency room. Or how about the Los Angeles hospital that was dumping patients on Skid Row? While we have it good here, we are far from perfect either medically or socially.

What on earth these so-called doctors and nurses were thinking at that moment? This will take India backward 100 years from modernization. This is a crime and there’s no other ways to describe it. This is so sad that a young mother and her child died in a hospital. To hell with religion, this is man-made to self-destruct its own kind if this practice is permissable. India is worse than Africa or Iraq right now. Totally have no common sense nor education for this stuff to have happened. So sad.

And liberals say there’s no use for wars. All these backward cultures ought to be exterminated, once & for all. Bunch of freaking stoneage idiots.

It is a heartbreaking world we live in. Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jew there is only one GOD and we all believe in that same GOD. I believe the fires of Hell burn for all who turn their backs on children of GOD. During our last moments on this earth we will all see our creator as we see ourselves. To bad people are as stupid as they are and don’t realize this. Yes, even those who don’t believe will believe in that last desperate moment and ask for forgiveness.
GOD will take care of that child and mother.

Just another example of a country purporting to be modern and compassionate that is still steeped in supersticious beliefs and ignorance. This is a country that U.S. workers have been losing jobs to for a decade. Now we know why. India is one big sweat shop.

It just shows what a heartless culture the East Indians have.

this was the work of the devil,because no way would a god fearing person or persons do such a deplorable thing.I thought doctors were to cure not to kill,
absolutely disgusting.

I don’t understand why anyone would be become a doctor if they fear touching someone. It’s hard to try not to be judgmental when reading a story like this … I just hope the doctors who refused to help a person in need are able to find peace with themselves in this lifetime. What a horrible story.

This is very common in India. While the law there states it is illegal, I would be surprised to see anyone actually get charged let alone convicted. I would love to see all those who refused her and her son medical treatment, go to jail. They are resposnsible for both of their deaths.

However, why should any of us be surprised. When US doctors graduate from medical school, they don’t recite the Hippocratic Oath anymore. And if they do, they leave out the parts about protecting and doing no harm to all life. Hence our wonderful medical establishment supports killing the most vulnerable at both ends of of life. The New England Journal of Medicine has come out in support for the Netherlands practice of euthenizing infants who are disabled. Since they refuse to respect life at all stages of development, why should anyone else, even in other countries respect life!

We hear these stories and get angry and want to change the world’s medical practices. In order to do this, we must start right here in our own backyard!

How backwards is that.

For a country that desires to be a player on the world stage, please join the 21st century. Like apartheid, the caste system, belongs on the ash heap of history.

The Indian caste system is not something we hear alot about in the United States. If we did, we might feel different every time we called a tech support number and were greeted by an Indian telling us their name is “bob” or “susan”. Our manufacturing sector has moved to China, and our technology and tech support infrastructure has been outsourced to India. Both countries with awful human rights records. Are we too blind to see that as our jobs are sent to these countries, our standard of living will be dragged down to their level. It is happening right now as I type this. We could not even feed our families over here with the wages they are paying Indian citizens over there. As this trend continues, an equilibrium on a global scale will eventually be reached, economically speaking. The fact that the current administration has found it more important to fund a pointless war with no end in sight rather than invest in our technology and R&D base only accelerates this process.Speaking of the current administration, President Bush not only endorses the guest Visa program to import Dr.’s, scientists, and engineers from India, but has expanded it. I can’t stand going to my doctor’s appt. at the VA hospital, and getting seen by an Indian Dr. not only because it sickens me that the Veteran’s Administration supported an Indian Dr.’s guest Visa rather than paying decent wages to an American born Dr., but also because Indian Dr’s in my experience are the rudest, and most stuck up Dr’s Ive ever encountered. I believe this story could likely be less about the Indian’s social system and more about these people’s low standard of living. If we continue to turn a blind eye to this crippling cycle, we may find ourselves begging Indian doctors for help outside of our local emergency room someday.

And we, in the United States, are supposed to take seriously the opinions of and shape our social norms on the pracitices of the peoples of countries beyond our borders? Stories like this make isolationism sound better every day, and every day more and more of these stories surface.

Unbelieveable that this can happen in this day and age. Aren’t we all human beings? Whoever refused to help this woman and baby should be brought up on manslaughter charges. Maybe then things will start to change in India. It is time to rid of this caste system.

I concur w/Miguel and cj - they are on the right track!

I think that India needs some serious reform. Anyone who could allow this to happen is a disgusting individual.

savages…no wonder they smell like crap and eat flies

This is typical, everyday behavior in India.

India really needs British Justice to stop their descent into savagery.

strange that in a culture where its people are buddhists or hindus or worship animal gods and purported to be kind and peaceful can’t see each other as equals. even mahatma ghandi who advocated non-violence and truth was a hypocrite as he refused to address any issues of caste since he belonged to the highest brahmin caste. ultimately, underneath is all, whether you believe in god or an atheist, humans are inherently selfish and self-absorb.

Deport all people from INDIA OUT OF THE US! now. Let them clean up their own living conditions like we cleaned up our years ago. I’m sick and tired of having people come here and live off of us and still cling to their ways. People of India - deport them now!
We are going broke here and turning into the third word place the have in India. Our water is bad, our people are living in raw sewage, we have no jobs — how much more are Americans supposed to take before we rise up and revolt! Kick these savages out.

responding to Teejaa -If our leaders would follow our immigration laws, we would be able to treat the few indigent CITIZENS of the US, like we used to. But we have been INVADED by foreigners (for political reasons) and now we are sucking air trying to survive — and still have stupid people here wanting to let the world come here “for a better life” — well the foreigners to create CREDIT CARDS and they can have everthing we have. In the meantime — the foreigners who are illegally here need to be shipped out immediately for the good of all Americans and legal immigrants. That is not a hard concept to understand. Isolationism is a good thing and I look forward to the day America decides to do that again. We need it — for the health of our citizens and well being of our children. We get lead filled enamel for our teeth crowns, we get contaminated heparin that is killing our people, we get tainted dog food that is killing our pets, we are getting poisoned medicines — no, no agency can keep up with all that. We need to reel it is and look after America! People around the world need to clean up their own messes.

I thought doctors had to take oaths. I guess not. Wow to let two individuals die that have blood running through thier viens like everyone else. these so called docotrs should be held accountable for this. And to let a baby die when there are so many people that would give anything for a child, I hope these doctors believe ib what goes around comes around and karma. I just cant believe becasue of social status they just stood by and let them die. what if you touch them they will make your arm shrivel off or you might catch thier social status. This just shows how ignorant and inhuman people can be. WE ARE ALL HUMANS WITH THE SAME BLOOD FLOWING through our veins. why cant people understand this. Its not rocket science.

The Hindu concept of reincarnation has led to the idea that some people are born with karmic deficits and are therefore required to work their way to a higher level. Those already at the higher levels are afraid of “contaminating” themselves or “interfering” with their karmic evolution by helping or touching them. Truly an horrific and devastating religious idea that has wreaked untold havoc on India and other cultures. It’s great to see that it’s officially “illegal”, but unfortunately many still suffer from the residual practice.

THE HORROR. THE HORROR. THE DISEASE , THE CANCER OF HINDU CULTURE. IN INDIA THIS SYSTEM IS INSTITUTIONALIZED SLAVERY UNDER THE GUISE OF RELIGION. i AM A DOCTOR AND I THINK ALL THOSE PEOPLE INVOLVED OUGHT TO BE SHOT, BUT I REALL BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SILENTLY SIDES WITH THE PERPS. CRUELTY AND EVIL ARE HERE TO STAY EXCEPT FOR SOME FEW GOOD MEN THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND MAKE LIFE SOMEWHAT BEARABLE.

What in the world??!!?? This is inhumane, I’m sorry. I don’t care about their caste system or whatever. Such an atrocity should propel those in power to CHANGE this inhumane caste system. Here’s your sign, India…duh. This might have been tolorated in the middle ages, but good grief, this is 2008. Doesn’t this just make one want to worship their “gods”??!!?? I can’t decide if I want to be on the bottom of the totem pole in India and worship their “gods” or do I want to wear a burka, (whatever it is) and have my little eyes peeping out and not having any worth in their muslin faith other than being a man’s servant. Sorry, I forgot, women are treated with “respect” in the muslin faith, they are so respected they keep their women locked up and their mouths shut up. Cult, people, think cult. Others totally controlling others. Warning here, preaching coming. That’s why Jesus came, to SET YOU FREE…and know that the real God, the God of love, approves and wants you free. Try to wrap your thinking around that, it’s totally foreign to most people in the world. Those in the caste system in India that are at the TOP of the caste system are not free either, they are not free to love everybody, that makes them under bondage too. Where are your brains, that’s what I want to ask. I have no patience with such ignorance.

“People in this country (USA) shouldn’t complain about our health care system! That simply would NOT happen here!” — Dawn

As an individual who has been denied health insurance in the U.S. due to my weight, I assure you it happens all the time. As I have worked quite hard all my life, and have paid dumpster-loads of money into this country in the form of taxes, I would never accept charity…yes, I’m too good for that. couple this (and the denial of service from health insurers) with the fact that as an unisured person I have to pay 4 to 5 times more for hospital services than the norm, and the conclusion is that if I ever have a life-threatening or mutilating medical condition, then I too will end up dieing in the gutter in front of the hospital…or in front of the White House, if I have enough strength to crawl there.