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Jaipur, Rajasthan – In a significant enforcement of campus safety protocols, the administration of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College has suspended 16 second-year MBBS students and one intern following a substantiated complaint of ragging. The disciplinary action, taken on Monday, underscores the growing crackdown on “ritualized bullying” within India’s medical education system.
The suspension orders were issued after a first-year MBBS student lodged a formal grievance via the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) central anti-ragging portal, alleging “physical and mental harassment” by seniors.
The Incident: “Severe Mental Stress”
According to the findings of the college’s Anti-Ragging Committee, the complainant and his batchmates were subjected to a series of humiliating directives by the senior students. The allegations detailed in the complaint paint a disturbing picture of the campus culture faced by freshers.
The victim reported that seniors repeatedly summoned junior students, forcing them to perform the ‘murga’ pose—a stress position involved in corporal punishment—and coerced them into singing songs on command. The complainant described the cumulative effect of these interactions as causing “severe mental stress,” prompting him to seek intervention through the central regulatory body.
Swift Administrative Action
Upon receiving the notification from the NMC portal, the SMS Medical College administration constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the veracity of the claims. The probe confirmed the involvement of 17 individuals—16 second-year students and one intern.
Dr. Monika Jain, Additional Principal and Chairperson of the Anti-Ragging Committee at SMS Medical College, confirmed the disciplinary measures.
“The parents of all suspended students have been informed,” Dr. Jain stated in an interview with local media. “Hostel wardens have also been directed to maintain special vigilance to prevent further incidents of ragging.”
The accused students have been barred from attending classes until further notice, effectively putting their medical education on hold pending further review.
A Systemic Malaise?
This incident at SMS Medical College is not an isolated event but part of a troubling resurgence of ragging complaints across Indian medical institutions. Just weeks prior, the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS) Medical College in Gandhinagar suspended 14 MBBS students for similar offenses, with punishments ranging from six months to two years.
Health education experts argue that while ragging is often defended by perpetrators as “ice-breaking” or “tradition,” it represents a dangerous power dynamic that compromises the psychological safety of future healthcare providers.
“The normalization of humiliation in medical training is a public health concern,” explains Dr. Aruna Desai, a clinical psychiatrist and researcher in medical education ethics (not involved in this specific case). “When we subject students to ‘psychopathic behaviour’—as the Raghavan Committee once termed it—we are not building resilience; we are eroding empathy and inducing anxiety disorders that can affect their future patient care.”
The Public Health Implication
The implications of such incidents extend beyond the campus. Research consistently links ragging to a decline in academic performance and a rise in mental health struggles among medical students, including anxiety, depression, and in tragic cases, suicide.
For the general public, the health of the medical student population is directly tied to the quality of the healthcare workforce. A learning environment defined by fear and hierarchy can stifle the open communication and confidence necessary for effective clinical practice.
Current Regulations
The National Medical Commission (NMC) maintains a strict anti-ragging stance. Regulations mandate that:
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Every medical college must have an active Anti-Ragging Committee.
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FIRs must be filed in cognizable offenses.
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Institutions can face de-recognition if they fail to act.
Despite these safeguards, the “code of silence” often prevents victims from coming forward. The utilization of the online NMC portal by the SMS student highlights the importance of anonymous, external reporting mechanisms in breaking this cycle.
Conclusion
As the 17 suspended students face the consequences of their actions, the incident serves as a stark reminder to medical institutions nationwide. The transition from “senior-junior interaction” to harassment is a line that, once crossed, carries severe professional penalties. For the suspended intern, who has completed their coursework, this disciplinary mark could have lasting repercussions on their medical registration and career prospects.
Medical Disclaimer
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References
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Saha, A. (2025, December 1). SMS Medical College 16 MBBS students, 1 intern suspended for ragging. Medical Dialogues. https://medicaldialogues.in
