Three Resident Doctors Suspended for Ragging at BJ Medical College

Ahmedabad, June 18: Three second-year resident doctors at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad have been suspended for a period ranging from six months to one year due to involvement in ragging. The action follows a complaint lodged by first-year resident doctors, which was investigated by the college’s anti-ragging committee.

The state health department announced on Wednesday that disciplinary action was initiated against the three students based on the committee’s findings and the submitted report.

Health Minister Prabhul Pansheriya stated that the government is taking this matter very seriously. He emphasized the commitment to ensuring a safe, respectful, and fear-free academic environment for students. The minister reiterated that ragging and similar antisocial activities will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He urged students to avoid ragging and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, sensitivity, and cooperation. The safety and mental health of students remain the state’s top priority.

This recent incident has reignited concerns regarding ragging in medical institutions, particularly within orthopedic residency programs.

The orthopedics department at BJ Medical College was previously at the center of a significant ragging controversy at the end of 2022. Junior resident doctors accused senior residents of prolonged physical and mental harassment.

Complaints at that time included verbal abuse, threats, forced physical exercises, and physical assaults, leading to disciplinary actions against senior postgraduate students following an investigation by the college’s anti-ragging committee.

Reports from that earlier case indicated that several junior resident doctors had complained of ongoing harassment for months. After questioning dozens of students, the committee recommended the suspension of the accused senior doctors.

The investigation’s findings were subsequently forwarded to regulatory authorities, including the National Medical Commission and the University Grants Commission.

The health department has stated that anti-ragging regulations will be strictly enforced across all medical colleges and educational institutions in Gujarat.