SGRR Suicide Case: Medical Fraternity Supports Activists on X as college alleges Defamation

Dehradun: Amid the allegations of toxic work culture at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, the institute has lodged a complaint before the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand against the "false and misleading information being spread on social media" against the institute.

Referring to the X (formerly Twitter) handles of some of the members belonging to the medical fraternity, the institute alleged that such "false" information is defaming and causing immense irreparable damage to the college's reputation.

The action by the institute comes after the recent incident of suicide of a first-year Pediatrics resident doctor at SGRRIMHS came to light. Social media posts claimed that the PG medico committed suicide allegedly due to a toxic work culture in the department. 

As per sources, the PG medico was allegedly overworked, sleep-deprived, and did not even have time to eat. His father reportedly claimed that his son had not been happy ever since he joined the department and was always complaining about the insults from the faculty. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that protesting against the incident, the resident doctors at the institute decided to boycott the elective duties.

The residents demanded that the authorities waive the fees of the deceased student so that his parents do not have to face any financial burden. They also demanded the authorities to comply with the National Medical Commission's (NMC) guidelines of maintaining reasonable working hours, giving weekly offs, etc., a State member of IMA Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) earlier told Medical Dialogues on the condition of anonymity.

Also Read: SGRR Medical College Paediatrics Resident commits suicide due to alleged toxic work culture, Doctors on protest demanding reasonable working hours

Responding to the news of suicide, Health Activist Dr. Dhruv Chauhan wrote on X, "Dr. ***, a first-year pediatrics PG resident at SGRR Medical College Dehradun, tragically took his own life. Allegedly His Thesis were Torn apart before him and denied leaves, heavy fines, and made to do extension even suffered humiliation multiple times by some professors and college administration. The weight of this torment plunged him into deep depression, leading to his decision to end his life on May 17th by injecting himself. This is the 2nd suicide within the year." However, the post has since been deleted. Several other X users with the handles @Indian_doctor, @garam_khopdi and Instagram user @memedico also responded to the situation. However, those posts are not available anymore.

Complaint by SGRR Medical College:

Complaining against these social media posts, the institute recently wrote to the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand and mentioned in the letter, "Sir, this complaint is being made to bring to your kind notice the false and misleading information being spread on social media within short span without any facts, in order to defame and cause immense irreparable damage to the College. The following users / handlers (posts attached) on social media are spreading false and misleading information thereby wrongfully targeting the College: a) Twitter - @Indian_doctor b) Twitter - @DrDhruvchauhan c) Twitter - @garam_khopdi d) Instagram -@memedico."

The letter added, "...our College enjoys immense reputation across the country. Students from all over the country come and study here. This reputation is built over a long period of time with tireless efforts being put in by all the stakeholders. The posts (attached) are, obviously with a wrong motive & malafide intention spreading lies on social media causing immense loss to the College reputation."

In the letter, the institute claimed that "without knowing the facts these posts are being published without any proof or material to substantiate, false allegations are being made, which is directly tarnishing the image of the college." Seeking police action in this regard, the institute opined that the users associated with those X handles should be put to strict notice under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and under the Indian Penal Code.

"It is humbly prayed that strict action be taken against these persons under the relevant sections of Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code. It is further requested that Instagrarn & Twitter also be directed to remove the published content immediately," mentioned the letter.

Reaction from Medical Fraternity: 

Soon after the institute lodged complaint against these activists, the medical fraternity took to social media to express their opinion on the matter and extend support to them.

National Vice President of AIMSA, Dr Syed Faizan Ahmad wrote on X, "Awaaz do..hum ek hain" I stand with @DrDhruvchauhan, @Indian__doctor and all the doctors who are raising voice for our medicos . Dadagiri of any institution or organisation will not acceptable."

"Incidence : Dr. Divesh Garg, Junior Resident at department of Paediatrics, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun has committed suicide due departmental toxicity and harassment. All doctors of are demanding strict action against officials who are responsible for suicide," his X post further read.

The X handle of 'The Cancer Doctor' also extended its support to these activists stating, "We won’t tolerate any action that threaten the fundamental rights of democracy on which the nation is built on. It’s time for doctors and every citizens who believe in free speech to stand with @DrDhruvchauhan @Indian__doctor on this issue. May the truth prevails."

Extending support to the activists for raising their voice regarding the incident, another user wrote, "Medicos let's get united against all this toxicity . There is freedom of speech, there is nothing wrong to stand against what is wrong I stand with @DrDhruvchauhan boss, @Indian__doctor who everytime raise voices in support of doctors and medical fraternity Kudos to them."

Terming the action by the institute as "dadagiri", a doctor wrote in a X post, "I stand with @DrDhruvchauhan, @Indian__doctor and all the doctors who are raising voices for our medicos . Dadagiri of any institution or organisation will not be acceptable. We demand strict actions against regular offenders. #MedicoLivesMatters."

An user named Dr. Sachar, who claimed to have worked in SGRR as a faculty for 3 years urged the police to not allow such "bullying" by the college authorities. He also requested the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take strict action in this connection.

"I have worked in SGRR as a faculty for 03 years. I can personally vouch that the current administration especially the current officiating Principal who is also Prof & Head of Pediatrics Dr. Utkarsh Sharma is one of the most toxic individuals and administrators in what used to be a good institution. He is nothing short of a hitman who manufactures evidence against those whom he doesn’t like. I’m one of the victims of his putrid and malafide behaviour and with evidence, and in fact he is one of the reasons I quit that institute. So I am not surprised at all. I urge @uttarakhandcops to not allow this bullying, and @NMC_IND to take stringent action against them," he wrote.

The United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) has also extended its support to these activists. In an X post, the association wrote, "We firmly stands by the right to free speech & transparency. Attempting to silence genuine concerns through legal threats undermines democracy. We urge to address the issues raised with accountability & openness.Constructive dialogue not intimidation, is path to true excellence."

Also Read: Toxic Work Culture allegations rocks Gandhi Medical College Bhopal: 5 resident doctors threaten mass suicide