Hyderabad Govt dental college MDS student alleges harassment, bullying, discrimination by faculty

Hyderabad: A second-year MDS student from the Department of Public Health at Government Dental College (GDC), Hyderabad, has alleged continuous harassment, ragging, bullying, discrimination, intimidation and torture by certain faculty members after filing complaints against them.

The resident doctor claimed that the alleged harassment has severely affected his health and academic career. As a result, he is currently hospitalised as his condition has deteriorated significantly. 

The allegations were highlighted by the All India Dental Students & Surgeons Association (AIDSA), which has written to the Principal of GDC, Hyderabad, seeking immediate intervention and protection for the student along with a fair and impartial inquiry into his allegations. 

Harassment allegation

According to the medico, he had been facing continuous torture, harassment, discrimination, mental harassment, ragging, bullying and misbehaviour at the dental college.

He claimed that he had repeatedly approached the Principal, but no action was taken and that he was allegedly oppressed and silenced whenever he raised his concerns.

In his statement, the resident doctor mentioned that his health deteriorated in February, following which he approached Regional DGME Kumar and complained against an Associate Professor. However, he alleged that after this complaint, the harassment intensified and he was continuously threatened and blackmailed.

He claimed that the Principal and HOD warned him that if he raised his voice again, they would allegedly involve other postgraduate students against him, destroy his life and future, and file counter-complaints against him.

The resident further alleged that the continued harassment led to him developing chronic hypertension at the age of 27.

On August 1st, he approached the University Grants Commission (UGC) in New Delhi, following which he was allegedly warned and pressured to withdraw his complaint. However, he claimed that he stood firm and refused to withdraw it, after which his situation allegedly worsened further.

"Tortured to that level that I have been hospitalised since last week, my father took me to hospital. My life and career are in danger," the medico said in a statement.

Support from doctors' association

Coming in support of the resident doctor, the All India Dental Students & Surgeons Association (AIDSA) in its letter on August 24 requested the Principal to personally intervene in the matter and ensure the student's safety. 

"The student has alleged continuous harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation and retaliation after raising grievances against certain faculty members. He has also stated that he was pressured to withdraw his complaints and threatened with counter-complaints. His health has reportedly deteriorated significantly, and he is currently hospitalised. I request your immediate personal intervention to ensure his safety, prevent any further harassment or retaliation, and arrange a fair and impartial inquiry into his allegations," the letter stated. 

The association said it did not want to prejudge the matter but urged the college administration to address the grievance urgently and conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into the allegations.

The association warned that if appropriate action is not taken, it may approach higher competent authorities and take further steps to safeguard the student's rights, safety and academic career.

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