Key Facts
In a decisive action against ragging, the Government Dental College (GDC) in Hyderabad has suspended 12 final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students for six months. The suspension, pending a police inquiry, follows a written complaint from first-year BDS students alleging persistent harassment. The incident has brought focus on the issue of ragging in medical and dental institutions.
Details of the Incident
According to GDC Hyderabad Principal Sarjeev Singh Yadav, the first-year BDS students, who joined the institution a few months ago, had been subjected to repeated harassment by senior students. The juniors, accommodated in the Osmania Medical College hostel alongside MBBS and postgraduate medical students, submitted a written complaint on June 11 detailing the alleged incidents.
The complaint stated that seniors routinely ordered them to bring alcohol, cigarettes, food items, and pick up Swiggy deliveries, besides making them perform various tasks. They also allegedly threatened the juniors with consequences, including preventing them from attending classes, if they refused to comply.
Escalation and Intervention
The issue escalated on the night of June 8 when interns and postgraduate students intervened and asked the final-year students to stop harassing the juniors. This reportedly led to an altercation, with the seniors objecting to the intervention and insisting that the matter concerned only them and the first-year students.
Action Taken
Following the written complaint, the college’s anti-ragging committee and hostel wardens initiated an inquiry. Parents of the students were also called for a meeting earlier this week and informed about the developments.
“As per UGC regulations, we have suspended the 12 final-year students for six months pending police inquiry. Depending on the report we receive from the police, further action will be taken,” Dr. Singh said, adding that the institution follows a zero tolerance policy towards ragging.
Impact and What Students Should Know
This incident underscores the strict measures institutions are taking to curb ragging. The UGC regulations mandate immediate suspension of accused students pending inquiry. Students are encouraged to report any form of harassment to the anti-ragging committee or hostel authorities without fear.
FAQ
- How many students were suspended in the GDC Hyderabad ragging case? 12 final-year BDS students were suspended for six months pending police inquiry.
- What were the allegations in the ragging complaint? First-year students alleged that seniors forced them to bring alcohol, cigarettes, food, pick up Swiggy deliveries, and perform various tasks under threat of not being allowed to attend classes.
- What action has the college taken? The college's anti-ragging committee suspended the 12 seniors for six months and called parents for a meeting. Further action will depend on the police report.
Source: www.thehindu.com