Ahmedabad: Taking a hard stance against the recent ragging incidents that surfaced in the state medical colleges, the Indian Medical Association Gujarat State Branch (IMA-GSB) on Friday wrote a letter to Praful Pansheriya, MoS (health and family welfare and medical education), Government of Gujarat, to ensure zero tolerance towards ragging and implement action according to the National Medical Council (NMC) regulations.‘The recurrence of such incidents raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing preventive mechanisms and the accountability of those entrusted with maintaining discipline and safeguarding students,’ read the letter.The IMA officials demanded a high-level independent inquiry at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad and Sir T Medical College in Bhavnagar.‘Strict disciplinary and legal action must be taken against all individuals directly and indirectly involved in ragging, harassment, intimidation, or abetment of such acts. Accountability should not be restricted only to the identified perpetrators. The role and responsibility of Mentors, Senior residents, Unit chiefs, Heads of Departments/ Units, Hostel authorities, and administrative officers should be thoroughly investigated wherever there has been failure of supervision, negligence, concealment, encouragement, or tolerance of ragging activities,’ according to the letter.IMA also demanded detailed reports from the anti-ragging committees and anti-ragging squads and also asked for the reasons for failure in preventing such incidents.A senior IMA official told TOI that all medical colleges under the state government must be directed to review compliance with anti-ragging measures immediately. “It includes functioning of anti-ragging committees and squads, making GMC and IMA part of these committees, hostel monitoring mechanisms, student grievance redressal systems, anonymous reporting channels, and periodic sensitization programmes for students and faculties,” said the official.‘The provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) & UGC – Anti-Ragging Regulations and Guidelines must be enforced. Any violation should attract stringent penalties including suspension, expulsion, withholding of academic privileges, hostel eviction, filing of criminal complaints where applicable, and any other punishment prescribed under NMC regulations and relevant laws,’ according to the letter.IMA members added that while it is a welcome step to punish the students involved, they cannot function in isolation. “NMC rules are clear – the ecosystem of oppression must be dismantled with instilling trust. Why must the students approach highest authorities? Why cannot they approach the local authorities at college or state level?” asked a member.
