108 Ragging Complaints in last 2 years, Odisha Medical Colleges Fail to Publicise Anti-Ragging Committees despite NMC norms

Bhubaneswar: A total of 108 ragging complaints from students at Odisha-based medical colleges have been filed with the UGC in the last two years. Even though the colleges have formed anti-ragging committees in compliance with the National Medical Commission (Prevention & Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges & Institutions) Regulations 2021, their details have not been publicized widely for the convenience of the students.

According to a recent TNIE report, the details of the anti-ragging committees and squads have not yet been made public by the medical colleges and hospitals in Odisha.

NMC, the Apex Medical Regulator had mentioned in Chapter III of these regulations that the Head of the Institution shall constitute Anti-Ragging Committees, Anti-Ragging Squads, and other such committees or assign duties to fulfill the provisions of these regulations. The Commission mentioned in the guidelines that "the contact numbers, details of control room, helpline and the personnel related to anti-ragging activities shall be prominently displayed, provided and easily available to freshers and all concerned so that immediate contact can be established whenever necessary."

Further, as per the regulations, the medical college or institution needs to utilize media to give wide publicity and prominently display posters depicting the provisions of penal law applicable to incidents of ragging, and the provisions of these regulations in the premises of the institutions, especially hostels. This step is required to make the community at large and the students, in particular, aware of the dehumanizing effect of ragging, and the approach of the institute towards those indulging in ragging.

Also Read: NMC Directs Medical Colleges to Submit Compliance Report on Anti-ragging measures, gives deadline

Therefore, the medical college and hospitals are required to update their websites with complete details and phone numbers, email ids of anti-ragging committee members, anti-ragging flying squad members, nodal officers and anti-ragging toll-free helpline (1800-180-5522) to register complaints.

As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, many of the 11 government-run medical colleges in the State are not adhering to these norms despite these rules. The Daily has further reported that UGC has received 108 ragging complaints since April 2022 till date. Among these, the highest number of complaints in the MCHs have been registered by the students of MKCG MCH at Berhampur. A total number of 35 ragging cases were reported from the institute from the period 2012 to April 2022.

Altogether 18 complaints have been filed at the institute, the latest was concerning a first-year MBBS student at MKCG MCH, who was allegedly subjected to ragging by his seniors in February.

Also Read: Alleged Ragging at MKCG Medical College: MBBS student accuses seniors of assault

However, TNIE has reported that despite having the highest number of ragging cases, in all these years, the institute did not provide any details of its 23-member anti-ragging committee or flying squad members on its website.

Commenting on the matter, the Dean of MKCG MCH Santosh Kumar Misra assured to look into the matter. He said, "Every ragging complaint is being thoroughly probed by us but we will inquire about the absence of anti-ragging details on the website."

Four complaints were filed against Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College at Baripada and two complaints each against Bhima Bhoi MCH at Balangir, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Burla and Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital at Puri.

Although the website of Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital has the names of the anti-ragging committee members on the website, the phone numbers or email ids, except for the email id of the dean, are missing from the website.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last year, the Orissa High Court had expressed concern over the incident of ragging on the first-year MBBS students at State-run Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College, Berhampur. Observing the incident to be "immoral and unacceptable", the court had ordered a probe into the matter.

Slamming the college authorities for failing to check ragging on campus, the HC bench had also directed the Ganjam Superintendent of Police to conduct a probe and take appropriate action in such illegal activities.

Also Read: Ragging at MKCG Medical College: HC expresses Concern, orders Police Probe