In a significant crackdown on ragging within the medical college community, the Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr. K Ramesh Reddy, has suspended ten senior MBBS students from Gandhi Medical College for a period of one year. This stern action comes in response to their involvement in ragging incidents targeting junior students.Dr. Ramesh Reddy, speaking on the matter, confirmed that the college’s anti-ragging committee conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, leading to the suspension of the ten students. He emphasized, “The anti-ragging committee has conducted an inquiry into the incident and found that 10 senior MBBS students were indulging in ragging juniors. All of the 10 students are suspended from the college for one year.”Additionally, the DME has issued a warning to senior students in both private and government medical colleges across Telangana. Dr. Ramesh Reddy stated unequivocally, “We have zero tolerance for ragging. If anyone indulges in ragging, firm action will be taken as per the anti-ragging rules.” This stern warning serves as a clear message to deter any further incidents of ragging.The recent suspension at Gandhi Medical College follows a series of warnings issued by health authorities to senior medical students regarding the absolute prohibition of ragging in medical colleges. Despite these warnings, some senior students allegedly engaged in ragging incidents targeting first-year students in the Hostel of Gandhi Medical College in Secunderabad.Dr. Ramesh Reddy noted, “Inspite of telling very firmly that no ragging will be tolerated in any of the medical colleges, some senior students indulged in ragging 1st year students in the Hostel of Gandhi Medical College in Secunderabad. Complaint was also sent by UGC anti-ragging cell, New Delhi to take action.”This crackdown on ragging incidents comes in the wake of a rise in suicides among first-year MBBS students nationwide. In June of this year, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a circular directing medical colleges to promptly address complaints of harassment and ragging made by first-year MBBS under-graduates and PG medicos. The NMC expressed concern that medical colleges were not responding adequately to these complaints and failing to submit compliance reports in accordance with the Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institution, Regulations, 2021.To combat ragging and harassment, medical students are encouraged to visit the NMC website (nmc.org.in) to lodge their complaints. The aim is to create a safe and supportive environment for all students pursuing medical education in India.Summary:Ten senior MBBS students at Gandhi Medical College suspended for one year for ragging.DME, Dr. K Ramesh Reddy, emphasizes zero tolerance for ragging and warns senior students in other Telangana medical colleges.The crackdown follows a UGC anti-ragging cell complaint and a spate of suicides among first-year MBBS students.The National Medical Commission (NMC) has urged medical colleges to promptly address harassment and ragging complaints and submit compliance reports.
