New Delhi: In response to the tragic death of an 18-year-old first-year MBBS student at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur due to alleged ragging, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has taken serious cognizance of the incident and issued directives to medical colleges across the country to enforce stringent anti-ragging measures.
The incident involved the student being allegedly forced to stand for three hours by seniors during ragging at the college hostel, which led to his death. Following this, 15 senior students were suspended, and a criminal case was filed. In light of this tragedy, the NMC has urged all medical institutions to ensure the strict implementation of anti-ragging regulations as outlined in the Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions Regulations, 2021.
The NMC’s directives include:
- Formation of Anti-Ragging Squads: These squads should monitor and prevent ragging activities, including identifying indirect evidence of such activities.
- Awareness Programs: Faculty, staff, and students should be made aware of anti-ragging policies.
- Annual Reports: Medical colleges must submit timely anti-ragging reports to ensure adherence to guidelines.
- Safe Learning Environment: Colleges should create an atmosphere free from harassment, ensuring students’ safety and well-being.
The NMC’s regulations, which were established in November 2021, emphasize the institution’s duty to prohibit ragging through proactive measures such as forming anti-ragging squads, conducting awareness programs, and maintaining a safe campus. Despite these regulations, the NMC has noted lapses in compliance, such as inadequate monitoring, failure to activate anti-ragging squads, and delays in reporting.
In addition to the tragic incident at GMERS, the NMC has reported a rise in ragging-related complaints, including mental harassment and cases leading to suicide, which continue to be reported through various channels, including the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline and the NMC’s own Anti-Ragging Cell.
The NMC has underscored the importance of preventing ragging, stating that it violates physical, moral, and legal boundaries, and negatively impacts the reputation of academic institutions. The Commission has called for urgent action to eliminate this menace and ensure a safe academic environment for students across medical colleges.
