Does heavy Workload mean Ragging: Accused Doctors Ask MARD after Suspension

"If the heavy workload is given the name of ragging, then we all have been ragged or ragging someone while performing our basic duties. Then all of us should be blamed as all the workload and pressure is always transferred from our seniors (lecturer, AP, HOU, and HoD) and department," the letter reads.

Mumbai: 3 doctors accused of allegedly abetting the suicide of the fellow medico pursuing MD Gynecology; have now written to Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) asking the authority to ensure 'fair' probe into the case.

The administration of the BYL Nair Hospital, to which the doctors were attached, had formed an anti-ragging committee to probe into the suicide, while MARD has suspended the accused doctors on account of allegedly persistently harassing her on the pretext of her social identity.

Medical Dialogues recently reported about the unfortunate incident where the doctor has been identified as a 26-year-old PG medico pursuing MD Gynecology from a well known BYL Nair Hospital in Mumbai allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her hostel room.

Read Also: Mumbai: MD Gynecology commits Suicide over alleged Harassment, 3 Seniors booked for Abetment

“She alleged that the doctors would not allow her to meet her husband or have food during working hours as she belonged to a lower caste. They also threatened her that she would not be able to complete her MD,” the medico’s brother had informed.

Following the complaint registered by the mother of the medico, the three accused doctors had been booked for abetment to suicide under relevant sections of IPC. No arrests have been made so far. “We have registered a case under SC/ST Atrocities Act, Anti-ragging Act, and IT Act, and Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Further probe is currently underway,” said Deepak Kundal, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Agripada, informed recently.

Subsequent to the incident, an anti-ragging committee, comprising doctors, police officials and NGO members, had started a parallel investigation into the case.

Read Also:MD Gynaecology Suicide at Nair Hospital: HoD Gynaecology, Professor issued Show cause Notices

The deceased Medico’s mother stated that her daughter had told her about the alleged harassment.

Read Also:Mumbai: MD Gynecology commits Suicide over alleged Harassment, 3 Seniors booked for Abetment

Now, denying the charges of 'ragging' levelled against them, the accused doctors have written to MARD.

"We want the college to conduct a fair investigation to give justice. But this is not the way to do investigation through the police force and media pressure without listening to our side," they have stated in the letter.

"Just because we don't know the reason why suicide was committed, it is seriously an injustice to put the blame on us without any proper cause and levelling a charge of atrocity," the letter written and signed by the three doctors reads.

"You all are aware of the workload in residency and do you all really believe burdened with the workload is ragging? We all are doing residency and are going through all three years of residency which has different aspects."

"If the heavy workload is given the name of ragging, then we all have been ragged or ragging someone while performing our basic duties. Then all of us should be blamed as all the workload and pressure is always transferred from our seniors (lecturer, AP, HOU, and HoD) and department," the letter reads.

Denying the allegation of caste-based discrimination, the three accused have written: "Also, we have been blamed for caste discrimination. Do you really think such allegations are true? Do we ever consider caste before treating patients? Do we make friends, listen to our seniors/juniors and colleagues on the basis of caste? Are we really allotted work on the basis of our caste?"
The letter further asks the MARD to help the accused in getting a fair trial and give them a chance to clear the allegations levelled against them by the victim's mother.

"Guys we have been working together. Do you really think we could do ragging and caste discrimination? We just want you all to understand our side and help us get justice against these allegations which are levelled," says the letter, quotes ANI.

A senior MARD official said, "We have credible inputs that the three doctors made casteist remarks against the medico, who allegedly committed suicide. We will cooperate with the police for further investigations."

Meanwhile, workers of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, All India Democratic Association, Democratic Youth Federation of India and Students Federation of India staged a protest outside the college and hospital building premises.

A tribal organisation has planned a march from the hospital premises to the Agripada police station on Tuesday, to demand arrest of the three doctors.

Holding the Nair hospital administration responsible for the suicide, the organisation has demanded action against the dean, reports PTI.