Punishment for Ragging: Third-year MBBS medico at Gandhi Medical College suspended for one year

Hyderabad: Taking action against a third-year senior medical student found guilty of ragging his juniors, the Anti-ragging committee of the government-run Gandhi Medical College suspended him for one academic year here on Friday.

Based on an anti-ragging committee report, the student has been suspended from both college and hostel for a period of one year. The action was taken subsequent to the student's involvement in ragging juniors, which was uncovered during the committee's investigation into the incident.

The incident came to light after the victim students who were ragged complained to the principal of the medical college, Dr K Ramesh Reddy, who is also the director of medical education for Telangana.

Also read- Ragging At Gandhi Medical College: 10 Senior MBBS Students Suspended For One Year

The juniors in their complaint alleged that the senior harassed them on multiple occasions. There have been allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the senior towards his juniors. It has been claimed that the student forced them to address him as 'sir' and demanded respect whenever they encountered him. Furthermore, it has been reported that the student harassed five freshers by calling them to his room at odd hours and instructing them to participate in physical exercises.

Committee members including director of medical education Dr K. Ramesh Reddy, who is also the college principal, and hospital superintendent Dr M. Raja Rao inquired into the incident and found the student guilty.

"The committee decided to suspend a third-year student from the hostel as well as the college for a period of one year. It was already made amply clear to the seniors that ragging in any form will not be tolerated. The culture of the senior-junior equation must change. The juniors had directly approached the college authorities due to several rounds of counselling and assurances given to them that ragging complaints would be taken seriously," a source from GMC told TOI. 

Similarly, Dr Raja Rao told Deccan Chronicle, "The action has been taken to set an example against ragging. We are taking all measures to curb ragging on the campus. We urge the newcomers not to be afraid and warn the seniors that there will be zero tolerance for ragging."

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported in September that ten senior MBBS students of the government-run Gandhi Medical College were suspended for one year. The seniors allegedly harassed the juniors by calling them in the middle of the night and making them dance, poking fun and using abusive language.

Following this, one of the juniors complained to the anti-ragging cell in UGC and the letter was forwarded to the state authorities who subsequently suspended 10 students. 

In response, a protest was staged on its premises and those participating in the protest argued that proper protocols were not adhered to prior to the suspensions and requested a review of the decision. College officials, however, made it clear that ragging, in any form, would not be condoned.

In June 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a circular to all medical college principals and deans. The circular required them to furnish compliance reports pertaining to the 2022-23 period, specifically focusing on anti-ragging measures, documented cases of ragging, and the subsequent measures implemented. It was made clear that all medical colleges were expected to strictly follow the guidelines outlined in the Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions Regulations of 2021.

Also read- Suspension Of 10 Medicos Sparks Student Protests At Gandhi Medical College