JN Medical College MBBS student attempts suicide, accuses HoD paediatrics of mental harassment

Aligarh: A final-year MBBS student at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) allegedly attempted suicide by consuming 20 tablets of sleeping pills after reportedly failing in the Paediatrics subject for the second time. He is currently undergoing treatment, and doctors have confirmed his condition to be stable. 

According to local media reports, the student was upset over failing the Paediatrics subject, despite clearing other subjects on the first attempt. As the subject is considered one of the easiest in the curriculum, the unexpected failure in the subject reportedly led the student to continue for a year. Disturbed by this, the student is believed to have taken the extreme step.

Along with him, six other students had also failed in the same paper. Despite appearing for the re-examination, all of them reportedly failed again. The incident triggered controversy after students alleged that the head of the Paediatrics department had intentionally failed them due to personal bias.

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The matter came to light when the student consumed a large number of sleeping pills late Saturday night in his hostel room and was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in critical condition. After he regained consciousness during treatment, he revealed that the head of the Department of Paediatrics mentally harassed him and deliberately failed him in the subject. 

The Medical Bulletin reported that the student explained a pattern of targeted behaviour, including being deliberately failed, humiliated, and ignored during protests held to highlight these grievances. 

Blaming the HOD for destroying his life, he said in a note before attempting the suicide, “She shattered my dream, hope and father’s dream and goal of my life… I have nothing except MBBS, we belong to a very middle-class family."

The note further alleges that despite formal complaints and protests, no action was taken, and the student continued to feel isolated and unheard. Along with him, the other victim students also faced similar challenges. 

Vice President of the Resident Doctors Association, Dr. Akhtar Ali, told Navbharattimes that the issue may be linked to a past viral video involving some of the students, which reportedly angered the department head. He claimed the students had apologised but were still treated unfairly.

“This subject is one of the simplest, yet six students failed it twice, which raises serious concerns. Students are worried that such remarks on their records will impact their future, especially during post-graduation admissions,” Dr. Ali said. He demanded the removal of the department head and called for an impartial investigation into the matter.

The association has jointly appealed to the Vice Chancellor, urging immediate intervention in the matter. They have requested the VC to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and launch an impartial investigation into the functioning of the Paediatrics Department. The association also mentioned in their letter that during a recent student protest, the accused professor remained unresponsive and dismissed the concerns raised by the affected students.

Meanwhile, AMU Proctor Professor Wasim Ali confirmed the incident and said the university will form a fair investigation committee to look into the allegations raised by the students.

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