Ahmedabad, June 17 (IANS). Three second-year resident doctors have been suspended for six months to one year in an anti-ragging investigation at Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College. The three suspended students were found to be involved in ragging with first year resident doctors of the orthopedics department. After this action, the Gujarat government has reiterated its zero tolerance policy towards such behaviour.
The action follows a complaint lodged by first-year resident doctors, which was investigated by the anti-ragging committee of the college.
The state health department on Wednesday said that based on the findings of the committee and the report submitted, disciplinary action has been initiated against the three students.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the government has taken the matter extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful and fear-free educational environment for students. He said that anti-social activities like ragging will not be tolerated in educational institutions under any circumstances.
The Minister urged the students to stay away from ragging and instead create an environment of mutual respect, sensitivity and cooperation.
He said that the safety and mental health of students is the top priority of the state government.
This latest case has once again raised concerns over ragging in medical institutions, especially orthopedic residency programmes.
The Orthopedics department of BJ Medical College was at the center of a major ragging controversy in late 2022, when junior resident doctors accused senior resident doctors of physical and mental harassment over a long period of time.
Complaints at that time alleged verbal abuse, threats, forced physical exercise and assault, following which disciplinary action was taken against senior postgraduate students following an investigation by the college’s anti-ragging committee.
Reports in that earlier case had said that several junior resident doctors had complained of continuous harassment for months, and the committee had recommended the suspension of the accused senior doctors after questioning dozens of students.
The findings of the investigation were later forwarded to regulatory authorities including the National Medical Commission and the University Grants Commission.
The health department said anti-ragging rules will be strictly enforced in all medical colleges and educational institutions in Gujarat.
–IANS
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