End Toxic culture! Doctors condemn GMC Bhavnagar ragging incident, demand strict action
Ahmedabad: Doctors across the country have strongly condemned the recent ragging incident at Government Medical College (GMC), Bhavnagar.
Medical Dialogues had reported that the suspension order was passed after a total of 13 junior resident doctors submitted complaints alleging that they were subjected to mental harassment, intimidation and abusive behaviour by six of their seniors over the last four months.
As per the complaint, even if one junior doctor made a mistake, all 13 first-year residents were allegedly called together, often late at night, and punished collectively by the seniors.
The juniors further alleged that they were forced to repeatedly write the same sentence hundreds of times as punishment. Along with this, they were also made to stand outside operating theatres, wards and departmental premises throughout the night. They had to upload photographs in a WhatsApp group at regular intervals as proof that they remained standing at the designated locations.
Following the complaint, the college authorities conducted an investigation and suspended all six accused resident doctors. They have been barred from entering their campuses and from appearing in examinations during this period.
Raising the issue on social media, Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN) National Spokesperson Dr Dhruv Chauhan shared a CCTV footage image allegedly showing two junior resident doctors being forced to do the "murgha" punishment inside an operation theatre. The image went viral, with doctors questioning whether they pursued MBBS and entered the medical profession only to face such humiliation and harassment in their own academic and workplace spaces.
Also read- 6 orthopaedic resident doctors of Bhavnagar medical college suspended over alleged ragging
Strongly condemning the incident, Dr Dhruv Chauhan told Medical Dialogues, "What’s more concerning is that many other colleges have this toxic humiliation culture, but since there is no one to come forward, unlike this case, they are mostly undisclosed to the public. In this case, only senior residents l involved in GMC Bhavnagar are suspended, but do you think it was possible without the support of Professors or HOD? They were all aware of this harassment with juniors, but continued to become spectators. There should be action against them as well."
United Doctors' Front (UDF), National Spokesperson, Dr Bhavesh Varandani said, "We will not allow the medical profession to become a playground for the egos of toxic consultants. Any system that publicly humiliates, intimidates, or targets young doctors and specialists in the workplace is unacceptable and has no place in modern medicine. United Doctors Front strongly condemns such abuse of authority and calls for strict accountability against those who misuse their positions of power. No doctor should have to choose between their dignity and their career. Speak up, stand together, and help end this toxic culture at its roots. Silence protects the system; unity changes it."
Dr Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, National Chairman, FAIMA, said, "The incident of ragging of orthopaedics resident doctors coming from GMC, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, is very disturbing. Such inhumane acts done by any doctors at their workplace are condemnable and must not be repeated. The College and the Health Ministry have taken immediate action on this, which is appreciable, but the concerned departments must also be investigated deeply as to why such things operate in their department and under whose cover? Any incident of ragging must be taken seriously as it takes a toll on the mental health of the residents, many tend to be unstable morally, and many are forced to leave the institution as well. So, altogether this incident must be an eye opener to the other Medical Institutions where the administration must protect the resident doctors from any humiliation or ragging."
Dr. Amit Vyas, National President, Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) said, "There is no place for ragging in medical education. Seniority is meant for mentorship, not intimidation. Any act that humiliates, coerces, or mentally harasses junior doctors is unacceptable and must be dealt with firmly. At the same time, the issue extends beyond student-to-student ragging. Public humiliation by seniors or faculty, excessive and exploitative duty hours, and a culture of fear within departments can also amount to workplace harassment. The Government and regulatory authorities must ensure a safe, respectful, and dignified working environment for all resident doctors. Accountability should exist at every level."
National General Secretary, FORDA (Federation of Resident Doctors' Association), Dr Meet Ghonia said, "FORDA strongly condemns the reported ragging incident at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar. Medical institutions must be places of learning, mentorship and mutual respect - not fear, humiliation or harassment. Ragging in any form is unacceptable and has no place in the medical profession. We appreciate the prompt action taken by the college administration and authorities, including the suspension of six doctors involved in the incident. Such decisive measures send a strong message that ragging and harassment will not be tolerated in medical institutions. We stand in solidarity with the affected junior doctors and urge all medical colleges across the country to maintain a zero tolerance approach towards ragging while ensuring a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for every student and resident doctor."
Medical Dialogues had also reported on the ragging incident at BJ Medical College. A total of three second year postgrduate medico from the orthopaedic department of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad were suspended after being found guilty of allegedly ragging first-year PG students. While one of the second-year PG students was suspended for one year, the other two were suspended for six months each.
Taking note of the recent ragging allegations in Gujarat's two medical colleges, the Indian Medical Association Gujarat State Branch (IMA-GSB) has urged the state government to take strict action and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
In a letter addressed to Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Praful Pansheriya, the association called for a zero-tolerance policy towards ragging, a thorough investigation into the reported cases, and strict implementation of National Medical Commission (NMC) anti-ragging regulations across all medical institutions in the state.
"The recurrence of such incidents raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing preventive mechanisms and the accountability of those entrusted with maintaining discipline and safeguarding students. Strict disciplinary and legal action must be taken against all individuals directly and indirectly involved in ragging, harassment, intimidation, or abetment of such acts. Accountability should not be restricted only to the identified perpetrators. The role and responsibility of Mentors, Senior residents, Unit chiefs, Heads of Departments/ Units, Hostel authorities, and administrative officers should be thoroughly investigated wherever there has been failure of supervision, negligence, concealment, encouragement, or tolerance of ragging activities," the letter mentioned as quoted by TOI.
The letter further stated, "The provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) & UGC - Anti-Ragging Regulations and Guidelines must be enforced. Any violation should attract stringent penalties including suspension, expulsion, withholding of academic privileges, hostel eviction, filing of criminal complaints where applicable, and any other punishment prescribed under NMC regulations and relevant laws."
Also read- 3 BJ Medical College Ahmedabad orthopaedic medicos suspended for allegedly ragging juniors
