A fresh complaint of alleged ragging involving sexual humiliation and threats at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Medical College in Churu has prompted the National Medical Commission (NMC) to seek an urgent action-taken report from the institution, as the number of reported cases across Rajasthan medical colleges since early October reached 13.
The NMC contacted the college’s principal and dean, stressing the seriousness of the allegations and asking the institution to respond. The latest complaint adds to a series of cases in which medical students have alleged intimidation, corporal punishment, forced haircuts and threats of social or academic isolation.
Complainants in the Churu case and other reported incidents have sought enforcement of the University Grants Commission Regulations on Curbing Ragging and the NMC’s anti-ragging guidelines. They have also requested fair and urgent investigations, counselling support and protection from retaliation.
According to the report, only two of the institutions involved in the 13 cases have so far initiated action against students found responsible. At Barmer Government Medical College, 79 students faced disciplinary measures, including permanent or temporary expulsion from hostels and exclusion from academic activities for varying periods.
At Dr SN Medical College in Jodhpur, administrators suspended 19 students, including a junior resident, after an internal anti-ragging panel found them guilty of objectionable behaviour towards juniors. The complaint in that case included allegations of corporal punishment, forced haircuts and threats. The complainant said students had been warned that they would be boycotted from college events if they spoke about the ragging.
The NMC has asked the institutions concerned to submit comprehensive details of their investigations and the action taken. It has also sought information on measures to protect complainants from retaliatory intimidation and clarification on whether the anti-ragging committees at individual medical colleges are operational.
The pattern has raised questions about how medical colleges are implementing mandatory anti-ragging mechanisms and protecting students who report abuse. The NMC’s intervention places responsibility on college administrations to document their investigations, disclose the status of disciplinary proceedings and demonstrate that complainants can report incidents without facing further threats.
United Doctors Front, a nationwide medical practitioners’ organisation, has also responded to the increase in allegations. Its secretary, Lakshya Mittal, said the organisation had written to the chief minister and the director general of police seeking their immediate intervention.
The institutions concerned are expected to provide the NMC with details of their inquiries, disciplinary action and the functioning of their anti-ragging committees.
