GMC takes steps to curb ragging after complaint to Anti-Ragging Cell

Vijayawada: The Guntur Medical College (GMC) authorities have taken steps to curb ragging after a first-year MBBS student complained to the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The student alleged that he was subjected to ragging by MBBS seniors and sought action against them. The Anti-Ragging Cell forwarded the complaint to GMC, which identified five senior students from the 2019 and 2022 batches as suspects.

According to the preliminary inquiry, the senior students were staying in private hostels and allegedly ragging the victim student by expressing some words towards him. The student took the incident seriously and reported it to the NMC.

The GMC authorities counseled the five students and warned them not to repeat the same unlawful practice again. They also took an undertaking from each student stating that in case they resort to ragging again, they will be held responsible for it and stringent action will be initiated.

In addition, the GMC authorities have requested the police to visit the hostels every day and sign the beat book. They have also prepared a roster for faculty members from the rank of assistant professor to visit the hostels regularly and monitor any trouble brewing among the students. Senior officials will also make surprise inspections at hostels to deter students from resorting to any unlawful practices.

GMC Principal Dr Jeevan Pradeep said, "After receiving a communication from the NMC, we carried out an inquiry and identified both the victim student and the five senior students responsible for it. We have exhorted them to avoid such practice and warned them to initiate stern action in case they fail to mend their ways. Moreover, we will keep a close tab on both the college and hostel premises to avoid the practice of ragging."

This is the second case of ragging reported at GMC in recent months. In the previous case, a first-year MBBS male student was subjected to ragging by his seniors by being asked to wear formal dress at bedtime in the Boy's Hostel. The matter was resolved through counseling.