BJ Medical College Ahmedabad: 3 Orthopaedic Doctors Suspended for Ragging

The deeply entrenched and toxic culture of “seniority” within surgical residencies has once again been dragged into the light. The administration at the prestigious B.J. Medical College (BJMC) in Ahmedabad has cracked down on postgraduate ragging, suspending three second-year resident doctors from the Orthopaedics department. The severe disciplinary action follows disturbing allegations of physical and mental harassment raised by their junior colleagues.  

Sit-ups, Physical Abuse, and Pinch Marks

The sequence of events began when first-year postgraduate resident doctors filed complaints detailing systematic abuse by their seniors. The complaints were not just limited to internal college authorities but were also escalated directly to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) anti-ragging cells.

According to sources close to the investigation, the nature of the ragging was shockingly physical. First-year residents alleged that they were routinely forced to perform sit-ups as “punishment” for minor perceived infractions. More disturbingly, the juniors reported being subjected to direct physical abuse, specifically being aggressively pinched by the senior doctors. Taking the allegations seriously, the college conducted medical examinations of the complainants, which officially confirmed the presence of distinct pinch marks and bruising on the bodies of several junior doctors.

The Investigation and Verdict

Following the escalating complaints, BJMC’s 20-member institutional Anti-Ragging Committee, alongside the Health Department, launched a comprehensive inquiry.

“A medical board of all 17 first-year resident students of the orthopaedic department was conducted. The committee found that three second-year students were directly involved in the ragging and thus suggested the punishment,” a senior Health Department official confirmed.  

Based on the committee’s undeniable findings, the administration issued immediate suspension orders. One senior resident doctor has been suspended for a full year, while the other two have been suspended for six months each. During this period, the accused medicos are strictly barred from entering the campus, participating in clinical duties, or appearing in academic examinations.

Official Statements and Government Stance

The Gujarat government has taken a firm stance on the issue. State Junior Health Minister Praful Pansheriya confirmed the punitive actions, stating, “The complaint of ragging has been taken seriously. Strict action has been taken against the three students involved. The Gujarat government and the Health Department are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and fear-free educational environment for students.” He further urged any student facing mental harassment or physical threats to fearlessly approach authorities, assuring them of a “zero tolerance” policy.

• NEET PG 2026 Bilaspur Server Crash: Google Windows Open on Secure Exam Computers
• NEET PG 2026 Power Failure in Jaipur: NBEMS Announces Re-Exam on September 5
• Dr. Harsh Pandya Suicide Case: 4 Senior Doctors Suspended at GMC Surat

A Systemic Relapse? The 2022 Echo

What makes this incident particularly alarming is the department’s dark history. In December 2022, the exact same Orthopaedics department at BJ Medical College was mired in a nearly identical controversy. During that incident, three senior residents were suspended for 12 to 18 months after subjecting juniors to severe ragging, which reportedly resulted in one first-year resident suffering a damaged eardrum. The fact that history is repeating itself less than four years later raises serious questions about the department’s internal oversight.

Physical assault disguised as ‘residency training’ is a disease that the medical fraternity must aggressively excise. The fact that grown medical professionals are forcing their juniors to do sit-ups and physically pinching them like bullies in a schoolyard is profoundly embarrassing and dangerous. Furthermore, a repeat incident in the exact same department within four years proves that suspending a few ‘bad apples’ isn’t enough. Until the Heads of Departments are held directly accountable for the toxic cultures they actively ignore or tacitly endorse on their watch, junior doctors will continue to suffer in silence. Healing patients should never require breaking doctors first.