Intimidation, favoritism, corruption allegations rock Bengal's key medical colleges
What's the story
The recent rape and murder incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked a wave of complaints across several prominent government medical colleges in West Bengal.
The grievances, obtained by The Indian Express, reveal allegations of political interference, intimidation tactics, corruption within the examination system through bribery and favoritism.
These accusations emerged following an investigation into alleged misconduct by Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College who was arrested in early September.
Widespread complaints
Allegations of misconduct extend beyond RG Kar
The complaints extend to at least seven medical colleges.
These include North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital (BMCH), Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani, Nadia and MJN Medical College & Hospital, Cooch Behar.
The allegations range from threatening to fail students who don't comply with certain demands, not registering students who refuse to pay bribes to the West Bengal Medical Council.
Official meeting
Junior doctors highlight malpractices to state officials
A group of junior doctors met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on September 16 to discuss these alleged malpractices.
At North Bengal Medical College, five student doctors were suspended for six months and barred from entering the college campus or hostels on September 12 following protests by junior doctors.
An enquiry committee at MJN Medical College & Hospital and Midnapore Medical College and Hospital was formed following similar allegations.
Disciplinary actions
State government and medical colleges initiate action
Nirmal Kumar Mondal, principal of MJN Medical College, confirmed allegations against 15 individuals "for intimidating ordinary students."
The state government has also taken steps to curb the "threat culture" at medical colleges by forming a five-member enquiry committee led by Sudeshna Gupta, senior special secretary of the health department.
The state health department has also removed Tapash Ghosh as dean of students' welfare at BMCH and transferred Nupur Ghosh of the Obstetrics Department over allegations of irregularities and intimidation.
Forced involvement
Allegations of forced participation and service at college parties
According to a junior doctor at BMCH, some doctors affiliated with the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP)'s youth wing would force students to participate in cultural and non-cultural programs, threatening them with poor marks and supplementary exams if they refused.
Another junior doctor claimed that some students were similarly forced to serve drinks at parties held at the college.
These allegations are also mentioned in the complaint filed with the institution.