Govt cracks down on ragging at Gandhinagar medical college; seven students suspended
Ahmedabad, Nov 24 (LatestNewsX) – A serious ragging incident at a Gandhinagar medical college has led the Gujarat state to act decisively, suspending seven third‑year students for two years and a group of second‑year students for six months.
State Medical Education Minister Praful Pansheriya explained that the decision followed a formal complaint from the hostel dean, who reported that first‑year students were being harassed.
After quickly checking CCTV footage, the dean confirmed that the seniors had verbally bullied and behaved inappropriately toward their juniors.
Based on these findings, the government imposed immediate suspensions and issued stern warnings, stressing that such conduct is unacceptable in an institution that trains future doctors.
Speaking to the press, Minister Pansheriya urged students to uphold dignity and humanity, reminding them that they are pursuing a profession grounded in compassion.
“You come here to fulfil your parents’ dreams. Hurting or tormenting others is neither acceptable nor justified. To become a respected doctor, humanity must come first,” he said.
He warned that any similar incident anywhere in the state would trigger swift action and could jeopardise a student’s academic career. The minister also noted that ragging often drives vulnerable students to extreme distress and called on 18‑ to 20‑year‑olds to behave with maturity and empathy.
“Many students at this age lack emotional resilience. Your behaviour could cost someone their life or ruin your own future,” he cautioned.
The state has reaffirmed its zero‑tolerance stance on ragging and instructed all colleges to bolster monitoring measures to prevent such episodes. Under India’s UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009, ragging is a criminal offence.
The rules prohibit any physical or mental abuse, bullying, intimidation, humiliation or harassment by seniors on juniors, whether on‑campus or off. Institutions must create anti‑ragging committees and squads, file FIRs for any confirmed case, and maintain 24‑hour helplines, student affidavits and strict hostel monitoring.
Punishments range from suspension and rustication to expulsion, imprisonment and fines, depending on the offence’s severity. Colleges that fail to enforce the guidelines risk losing grants or affiliation, underscoring India’s zero‑tolerance policy.
janvi/dan
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