Gandhinagar/Rajkot: Allegations of ragging have once again surfaced in Gujarat's medical education system. The state government on Wednesday suspended nine resident doctors from two government medical colleges following complaints of physical and mental harassment of junior doctors.
Suspensions and Inquiry
Three resident doctors from BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad and six from Sir T Government Medical College in Bhavnagar have been suspended due to separate ragging incidents involving first-year residents. All nine suspended doctors belong to the orthopedics departments of their respective colleges.
State's junior health minister Praful Pansheriya announced that an inquiry committee headed by the dean of Bhavnagar Medical College has been constituted. The committee is expected to submit its report by Thursday evening, after which further action will be taken.
Complaints of Harassment
According to the minister, 13 first-year resident doctors at Sir T Government Medical College in Bhavnagar submitted complaints against six senior resident doctors. They alleged mental harassment, intimidation, and abusive treatment over the past four months.
The complainants stated that even minor or unintentional mistakes by a single resident would result in all 13 first-year doctors being summoned, often at odd hours, and collectively punished by senior doctors. Among the punishments allegedly imposed was being forced to repeatedly write the same sentence hundreds or even thousands of times.
Some junior doctors further alleged that they were made to stand outside operation theatres, wards, and departmental premises throughout the night. They claimed they were required to upload photographs in a WhatsApp group at regular intervals as proof that they remained standing at the designated locations.
Physical Abuse in Ahmedabad
In Ahmedabad, three resident doctors of BJ Medical College were suspended following complaints filed with the UGC's anti-ragging mechanism. According to sources, first-year resident doctors alleged that they were forced to perform sit-ups and subjected to physical abuse, including being pinched by senior doctors.
A medical examination confirmed the presence of pinch marks on the bodies of some complainants. Sources said that after an initial complaint failed to result in action, a second complaint was filed, prompting authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Consequences and Past Incidents
The suspended doctors have been barred from entering their respective campuses and from appearing in examinations during the suspension period. Sources said one doctor from BJ Medical College has been suspended for one year, while the other two have been suspended for six months.
The latest incident has revived memories of a similar case at BJ Medical College about three years ago, when three resident doctors from the orthopedics department were suspended for ragging. In that case, one of the victims had reportedly suffered a damaged eardrum during the ordeal. Sources said the suspension period of one of the doctors was subsequently reduced.
