Pran Gopal Datta
{{Short description|Bangladeshi politician (born 1953)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Pran Gopal Datta
| native_name = প্রাণ গোপাল দত্ত
| native_name_lang = bn
| constituency_MP = Comilla-7
| parliament = Bangladesh
| term_start = 30 September 2021{{Cite news |title=Dr Pran Gopal takes oath as MP |url=https://www.bssnews.net/news/20182 |access-date=2021-10-01 |agency=BSS |date=30 September 2021}}
| term_end = 6 August 2024
| predecessor = Ali Ashraf
| office1 = Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
| term_start1 = 25 Mar 2009
| term_end1 = 24 Mar 2015
| predecessor1 = Md. Nazrul Islam
| successor1 = Kamrul Hasan Khan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|10|01|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chandina, Comilla District, East Pakistan
| party = Bangladesh Awami League
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| alma_mater = {{ubl|Chittagong Medical College}}
| awards = Independence Day Award
}}
Pran Gopal Datta (born 1 October 1953){{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Moinul Hoque |title=Political career won't hamper service as a doctor, says Pran Gopal Datta |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/political-career-won-t-hamper-my-service-as-a-doctor-says-pran-gopal-datta |access-date=2021-09-21 |work=bdnews24.com |date=20 September 2021}} is a Bangladeshi physician, university administrator and politician. In September 2021, he won a seat in the Jatiya Sangsad representing the Comilla-7 constituency in an unopposed by-election. The seat had become vacant after Ali Ashraf died in office in July 2021.{{Cite news |title=Pran Gopal Datta goes to parliament as Cumilla-7 MP |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/pran-gopal-datta-goes-to-parliament-as-cumilla-7-mp |access-date=2021-09-21 |work=bdnews24.com |date=20 September 2021}}
Datta was awarded the Independence Day Award, the highest civilian award in Bangladesh, in 2012 for his contributions to the medical field.{{cite web |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/site/view/all_independence_awardees |script-title=bn:স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্ত ব্যক্তি/প্রতিষ্ঠানের তালিকা |publisher=Government of Bangladesh |date=2021-09-20 |language=bn}}{{Cite news |script-title=bn:স্বাধীনতা পদকের অর্থমূল্য বাড়ছে |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/first-page/2016/03/02/331138 |access-date=2020-07-14 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}} He is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. He also served as the personal physician to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Background and education
Datta was born on 1 October 1953 in Mahichail village, Chandina, Comilla District, the second of seven brothers and sisters. He matriculated from Chandina Pilot High School in 1968 and attended Comilla Victoria College.{{cite web |url=http://www.chandina.comilla.gov.bd/site/page/d949e0d0-2144-11e7-8f57-286ed488c766 |script-title=bn:প্রখ্যাত ব্যক্তি |trans-title=Eminent people |website=Chandina Upazila |access-date=2019-08-13 |archive-date=2017-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217031234/http://chandina.comilla.gov.bd/site/page/d949e0d0-2144-11e7-8f57-286ed488c766 |url-status=dead}} He earned his MBBS degree at Chittagong Medical College in 1976, PhD degree from Odessa State Medical University in 1983, and an MSc in audiological medicine from University of Manchester in 1993.{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Md Sarwar |date=9 December 2017 |title=A freedom fighter and physician dedicated to the cause of humanity |url=https://dailyasianage.com/news/98486/a-freedom-fighter-and-physician-dedicated-to-the-cause-of-humanity |work=The Asian Age |location=Bangladesh}}
Datta has worked with and received training under renowned ENT specialists from all over the world including Hans-Peter Zenner of the University of Tübingen. Datta also worked closely with Prof. Armin Löwe of Heidelberg University for the establishment of Bangladesh's first diagnostic clinic for hearing-impaired children.{{fact|date=May 2025}}
Career
Datta regularly provides treatment to his patients at Green Life Hospital.{{cite web |title=Pran Gopal Datta Chamber |url=https://www.doctorbangladesh.com/prof-dr-pran-gopal-datta/ |website=Doctor Bangladesh |date=11 August 2020}} He is a professor in the Department of ENT at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-12 |title=Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta - Appointment Process [Updated 2023] |url=https://doctorsgallery.org/prof-dr-pran-gopal-datta/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |language=en-US}} He also works as an 'Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist & Head Neck surgeon' in the same organization.{{Cite web |title=Prof. Dr. Pran Gopal Datta |url=https://wheresmydoctor.com/listing/prof-dr-pran-gopal-datta/ |website=Where's My Doctor?|date=9 January 2024 }} Datta has conducted research on throat cancer, immunity, developmental disabilities, and autism.{{Cite web |title=Pran Gopal Datta's Research Works|url=https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Pran-Gopal-Datta-2058362895 | website=Research Gate}}
Pran Gopal Datta is a regular lecturer for institutions like the National Defence College (Bangladesh), the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management, the Judicial Administration Training Institute, the Bangladesh Police Academy, and the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development.
In 2021, he was nominated by the Awami League to contest by-elections for Jatiya Sangsad from Comilla-7 constituency after the death of Ali Ashraf.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-11 |title=AL nominates Dr Pran Gopal Datta for Cumilla-7 constituency |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/al-nominates-dr-pran-gopal-datta-cumilla-7-constituency-300946 |access-date=2021-09-16 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}} He was declared the winner of the Cumilla-7 constituency in 2024, but the election was marred by incidents of violence,{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=9 injured as supporters of Cumilla-7 AL, Independent candidates lock horns |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/districts/9-injured-supporters-cumilla-7-al-independent-candidates-lock-horns-767110 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}} ballot-stuffing, vote theft,{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=As videos of already stamped ballots in Cumilla go viral, numbers of votes cancelled |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/videos-already-stamped-ballots-cumilla-go-viral-numbers-votes-cancelled-770950 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}} and allegations of electoral irregularities.
On August 5, 2024, the Awami League government fell amid widespread political unrest and protests after the state sanctioned killings of protesters nationwide. He has been charged for murder on three separate counts,{{Cite web |title=সাবেক এমপি প্রাণ গোপালের বিরুদ্ধে ঢাকায় হত্যা মামলা |url=https://www.comillarkagoj.com/details.php?id=193622 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.comillarkagoj.com}}{{Cite web |last=সংবাদদাতা |date=2024-09-01 |title=কুমিল্লায় প্রাণ গোপাল দত্তের বিরুদ্ধে ছাত্রলীগ নেতার মামলা |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/xe8vxb62o6 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}} one of which during the July Revolution, regarding the killing of protestors where he was charged with Sheikh Hasina.{{Cite web |last=প্রতিনিধি |first=চান্দিনা (কুমিল্লা) |title=শেখ হাসিনা-ডিবি হারুনসহ তিনশ জনের নামে হত্যা মামলা {{!}} কালবেলা |url=https://www.kalbela.com/country-news/114591 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=কালবেলা {{!}} বাংলা নিউজ পেপার |language=bn-BD}}
In 2025, Dr. Pran Gopal Datta was mentioned in a Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) report regarding financial transactions linked to the Shuchona Foundation, a non-profit founded by Saima Wazed, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The foundation received significant donations from major Bangladeshi conglomerates, including S Alam Group, Beximco, and PK Halder, an individual accused of financial embezzlement.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Shuchona Foundation received multi-crore donations from S Alam, Beximco, PK Halder |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/corruption/shuchona-foundation-received-multi-crore-donations-s-alam-beximco-pk-halder |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}
According to the report, Dr. Datta made financial contributions to the foundation. However, in November 2024, the BFIU ordered banks to freeze the foundation’s accounts due to suspicious transactions. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) later reported that they could not find the foundation at its registered address in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.
Bibliography
=Books=
Pran Gopal Datta has authored numerous books on topics ranging from the Bangladesh Liberation War, to juvenile delinquency. These include:
- Pran Gopal Datta, যুবসমাজ ও মূল্যবোধ 1st edition, 2021. 80 pages
- Pran Gopal Datta, পদোন্নতির সাতকাহন 1st edition, 2019. 86 pages
- Pran Gopal Datta, অবিচল সতর্কতা: স্বাধীনতার মূল লক্ষ্য 1st edition, 2019. 112 pages
- Pran Gopal Datta, হৃদয় আমার 1st edition, 2017. 175 pages
- Pran Gopal Datta, আমার যত কথা 1st edition, 2015. 136 pages, {{ISBN|9-849-13637-5}}.
References
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Category:People from Comilla District
Category:Politicians from Chittagong Division
Category:Comilla Victoria Government College alumni
Category:Odesa National Medical University alumni
Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester
Category:Awami League politicians
Category:Recipients of the Independence Award
Category:11th Jatiya Sangsad members
Category:12th Jatiya Sangsad members
Category:Chittagong Medical College alumni