Nursing students of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna ended their protest on Friday following intervention by the health department and institute administration. A faculty member was relieved from teaching responsibilities after allegations were made against her by the students.
Protest Escalates Before Resolution
The agitation, which began on Thursday, escalated on Friday as nursing students staged a sit-in outside the institute gate, disrupting campus movement. Students alleged physical and mental harassment and accused the college administration, including principal Anuja Daniel and vice-principal Dr Rupashree Das Gupta, of discriminatory behavior in examinations and evaluation. They also reported that one student had attempted suicide due to prolonged mental harassment.
Corrective Measures Announced
Following discussions with the protesting students, several corrective steps were initiated on Friday. Dr Rupashree Das Gupta was removed from teaching duties. IGIMS deputy director and official spokesperson Dr Vibhuti Prassan Sinha stated that a fact-finding committee had been formed soon after the protest began. The administration held detailed talks with the nursing students in the presence of health department officials, leading to the withdrawal of the protest.
The institute decided to include two students from each academic year in the decision-making body to improve communication and transparency. Dr Sinha added that the administration assured students that stipend payments would be resolved within seven days, and pending batch regularization matters would also be addressed.
Although the immediate standoff ended after assurances, the allegations raised by students are expected to remain under scrutiny through the fact-finding process initiated by the institute.
