From White Coats to Coffins: Why Medical Colleges Are Failing Their Students

Ragging in Indian educational institutions is no longer just an initiation ritual it has become a crisis. A recent report by Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) paints a grim picture: between 2022 and 2024, 51 students lost their lives due to ragging. What is even more disturbing is that medical colleges, despite having a small percentage of India’s student population, are at the center of this horror.

With nearly half of all ragging-related deaths occurring in medical institutions, it is time to ask what is going so terribly wrong? Why do some of the brightest young minds in the country face the darkest corners of abuse and intimidation instead of a nurturing academic environment?

India has a long history of ragging, but in medical colleges, the problem is far more entrenched. Medical students make up just 1.1% of the country’s total higher education population, yet they account for 45.1% of ragging-related deaths. This statistic is more than just a number; it is a loud warning that something is seriously broken.

Even beyond fatalities, medical colleges lead in ragging complaints, accounting for 38.6% of the total cases reported. And within these, an alarming 35.4% are categorized as serious incidents, involving extreme psychological and physical torment.

Experts point to the deeply embedded culture of hierarchy in medical institutions as a major reason for this disproportionate violence. According to Gaurav Singhal, Vice President of SAVE, the rigid structure of senior-junior relationships fosters an environment where power imbalances are often exploited.

Unlike engineering or management colleges, where ragging is often limited to pranks or verbal intimidation, in medical colleges, it frequently escalates to physical and psychological torture.

Forced servitude: First-year students are often made to run errands for seniors, sometimes to the point of exhaustion.

Public humiliation: Victims are forced to perform degrading acts under the guise of ‘tradition.’

Physical violence: Beatings and extreme punishments are disturbingly common.

Mental harassment: Verbal abuse, threats, and isolation push many into severe depression and anxiety.

Medical education is already one of the most challenging academic pursuits. The added burden of ragging makes it even worse. Many students enter medical colleges with dreams of saving lives, only to find themselves battling severe mental health struggles.

Fear and anxiety: Constant harassment creates a climate of fear, making it difficult for students to focus on their studies.

Depression: Many victims of ragging suffer from depression, which often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Suicidal tendencies: Several deaths classified as suicides have been linked directly to ragging, with victims choosing to end their lives rather than endure continued abuse.

It is not a coincidence that medical colleges, where ragging is most rampant, also report some of the highest student suicide rates in India.

Despite strict laws and anti-ragging helplines, why does this menace continue? There are several reasons:

1. Fear of Retaliation: Most victims do not report their experiences due to fear of backlash. Seniors, often protected by powerful networks, ensure that those who speak out are silenced.

2. Institutional Apathy: Many colleges prefer to sweep cases under the rug to protect their reputation. Instead of addressing complaints, authorities often blame the victims or pressure them into withdrawing their complaints.

3. Lack of Strong Punishment: While ragging laws exist, enforcement is weak. Many perpetrators get away with mild warnings or temporary suspensions, allowing the toxic culture to persist.

4. ‘Tradition’ as an Excuse: Some seniors believe ragging is a rite of passage and that they are ‘toughening up’ juniors for the rigorous life of a doctor. This warped justification perpetuates a cycle of abuse, where each generation repeats the cruelty they once endured.

Ragging-related deaths are not just statistics they are preventable tragedies. To end this cycle of violence, we need strong action at multiple levels.

1. Strict Enforcement of Anti-Ragging LawsThe Supreme Court of India has declared ragging a criminal offense, yet implementation remains weak. Colleges need to:• Expel students involved in serious ragging cases.• Register cases under criminal law instead of just disciplinary actions.• Conduct surprise inspections and anonymous surveys to uncover hidden cases.

2. Breaking the Culture of SilenceStudents must feel safe to report ragging without fear of retaliation. This requires:• Stronger protection for whistleblowers so that victims are not targeted for speaking up.• Anonymous complaint mechanisms that are taken seriously by authorities.• Compulsory psychological support for victims, ensuring they get the help they need.

3. Holding Colleges AccountableInstitutions should not be allowed to escape responsibility. Colleges where ragging deaths occur must face severe penalties, including:• Withdrawal of accreditation.• Heavy fines.• Public blacklisting to discourage future students from applying.

4. Changing the MindsetSenior students must understand that ragging is not ‘fun’ or ‘character-building’ it is abuse. Awareness campaigns should:• Educate seniors on the long-term psychological damage ragging causes.• Show testimonials from victims who have suffered its consequences.• Promote mentorship instead of bullying, where seniors guide juniors positively.

India produces some of the finest doctors in the world. But if the path to becoming one is riddled with trauma, what kind of professionals are we shaping? The medical field demands empathy, discipline, and resilience not a culture of hierarchy, fear, and abuse.

The numbers speak for themselves, 51 young lives lost in just three years. How many more students must die before we take serious action?

Ragging is not tradition. It is violence hiding behind an excuse. It is time to end this toxic cycle and build an educational system where every student can learn, thrive, and dream without fear.

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