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Bhopal, May 4, 2025 – The recent appointment of Dr. Aruna Kumar as the Director of Medical Education (DME) at Gandhi Medical College (GMC), Bhopal, has ignited a wave of protests among the medical community. Members of the Junior Doctors Association and the Medical Teachers Association (MTA) staged demonstrations on Saturday, voicing strong opposition to the state government’s decision.
Allegations and Past Controversies
Protesting doctors are demanding the immediate rollback of Dr. Kumar’s appointment, citing her controversial tenure as Head of the Department (HoD) of Gynaecology in 2023. During her previous stint, two junior doctors tragically died by suicide, incidents that have been linked by colleagues to the working environment under Dr. Kumar’s leadership.
Rakesh Malviya, General Secretary of the MTA at GMC, stated, “Aruna Kumar was removed from GMC on two occasions due to bad behaviour with her staff. We are surprised with the state government’s decision to appoint her as the new DME.”
Malviya further explained that Dr. Kumar was removed from her HoD position following the suicide of junior doctor Bala Maheshwari in 2023, after intervention by the Union Health Minister. Another junior doctor, Akanksha Maheswari, also died by suicide in January 2024, reportedly blaming the toxic culture at GMC.
Protest Actions and Demands
During the protest, doctors displayed pamphlets and banners bearing images of the deceased doctors. They highlighted the contents of a suicide note recovered from Bala Maheshwari’s WhatsApp, in which she cited “constant mental torture” from Dr. Kumar as a reason for her drastic step.
The MTA has already met with Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who also serves as the Health Minister of Madhya Pradesh, to press for the reversal of Dr. Kumar’s appointment. “Today’s protest was just an indication,” said Malviya, warning that if the government does not act, “all junior doctors and other medical staff will go on indefinite strike, and then the government will be responsible for disturbance in medical services at GMC.”
Background and Reinstatement
Following the suicides, Dr. Kumar was removed from her HoD post but was reinstated as the HoD of Obstetrics and Gynaecology a few months later. Her reappointment as DME has rekindled concerns among staff and students about the work environment and administrative decisions at GMC.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by ENewsTime and the IANS news feed. The details reflect the views and statements of the protesting doctors and associations. The article does not independently verify the allegations or the circumstances surrounding the incidents mentioned. Readers are advised to consult multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek professional help.
