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Jodhpur, June 18, 2025 — The corridors of Dr SN Medical College (SNMC) in Jodhpur fell silent as resident doctors staged a two-hour symbolic strike, protesting institutional apathy following the tragic death of their colleague, Dr Rakesh Vishnoi. The third-year pharmacology resident died by suicide on June 13 after allegedly consuming poison, marking the latest in a series of student deaths at the institution.
Dr Vishnoi’s death has sent shockwaves through the medical community. In a video recorded before his death, he reportedly named his guide, Dr Rajkumar Rathore, as responsible for the harassment that drove him to take his own life. His family has refused to cremate his body, staging a dharna outside the hospital’s mortuary while demanding justice and a formal investigation.
“Dr Vishnoi did not approach the RDA or any formal institutional body regarding harassment or mental health concerns,” said Dr Ranjeet Choudhary, General Secretary of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) at SNMC. “His video, released just before the incident, was the first time we became aware of the extent of the pressure he was facing. It’s a tragic reminder of how many residents suffer in silence.”
The incident has exposed what many consider a systemic crisis within India’s medical education system. SNMC and its affiliated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur have witnessed at least five student suicides in recent years, including two final-year MBBS students in early 2021, both citing mental stress in their suicide notes. The pattern points to institutional failures to implement effective mental health safeguards.
“Unfortunately, within just the past two months, we’ve lost two young doctors,” Dr Choudhary revealed. “The first was Kavitha Verma, an intern who had been battling chronic depression. The second was Dr Vishnoi, whose death is being linked to severe depression, possibly exacerbated by thesis-related harassment. These back-to-back tragedies highlight serious systemic gaps, especially in mental health support and grievance redressal.”
The investigation into Dr Vishnoi’s death has taken on political dimensions. State Minister KK Vishnoi confirmed that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is treating the matter with “utmost sensitivity” and has promised “strictest legal action against the guilty.” The minister’s statement acknowledged “serious allegations of mental harassment, insulting behavior, and constant pressure against the departmental head.”
However, the RDA’s own investigation has revealed a more complex picture. Other students under the same guide reported a professional relationship and no prior complaints of harassment. “They also mentioned that Dr Vishnoi had been dealing with personal mental health challenges,” Dr Choudhary noted.
The RDA has presented five demands to the administration, including the immediate suspension of those responsible, the formation of a high-level inquiry committee, and the implementation of comprehensive mental health support for resident doctors and their families. They have also called for clear protocols for residents facing stress and concrete reforms to prevent future incidents.
The tragedy has resonated beyond Jodhpur, with resident doctors in Jaipur threatening to go on strike if no action is taken. The broader medical community is watching closely, hoping that this incident might catalyze meaningful change rather than becoming another forgotten statistic in India’s medical education crisis.
“We sincerely hope it becomes a turning point,” said Dr Choudhary. “Dr Vishnoi’s death has shaken the entire medical community. If this tragedy is allowed to fade into a statistic, we will have failed him, and every other young doctor struggling in silence.”
For now, Dr Vishnoi’s colleagues are determined to ensure that his death serves as a catalyst for change rather than a cautionary tale of institutional indifference. “This moment demands more than condolences,” Dr Choudhary concluded. “It demands change.”
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on currently available reports and statements from officials and representatives involved in the incident. The claims and allegations made are subject to ongoing investigations. The article does not intend to assign guilt or draw conclusions before the completion of official inquiries. Readers are advised to refer to official statements and updates from relevant authorities for the latest information.
