Ragging with Dalit Medical Student in Mumbai: Forced to sleep on the ground, utensils washed; FIR against 17 students and 2 wardens
A case of ragging and caste remarks has come to light with a 24-year-old Dalit student at GS Medical College, Mumbai’s largest government-run KEM Hospital (KEM). Taking the matter seriously, an FIR has been registered against 17 students and two hostel warden on the complaint of the student.
Dalit organizations are angry that no one has been arrested even after the registration of the case on January 14. In this episode, on Tuesday, Jati Antar Sangharsh Samiti and Dalit Panther Suvarna Mahotsav Samiti held a silent movement in front of KEM Hospital. This protest will continue on today (Wednesday) also.
Ragging was happening for three years
Sugat Bharat Padghan, a student from Hingoli, Maharashtra, has alleged that his roommate and other students have been harassing him continuously for the last three years. On many occasions, an attempt was made to kill him for not listening to his words. It is alleged that even after complaining to the two wardens and dean of the hostel, no action has been taken against the accused students.
KEM Hospital had set up an inquiry in this matter.
Forced to sleep on the ground
In his complaint, Sugat said that even after several demands, beds were not provided to him. Because of which he had to sleep on the ground below. But even after objecting several times, other roommates kept their shoes and slippers near his bed. He was scolded by the warden for drying clothes in the hostel gallery like other students.
Utensils and tiffins were forcibly washed
Apart from this, he was forced to wash utensils and tiffins. When she refused, a roommate threatened to throw her down from the eighth floor. To humiliate her, casteist slurs were used and teased by calling her ‘Chindi’. Upset over this, Sugat went to his village Hingoli, due to which his lecture attendance was also badly affected.
The internal inquiry committee had denied the allegations.
After receiving the complaint, KEM Dean Hemant Deshmukh constituted an Anti Ragging Committee to investigate the matter. However, the investigation report dismissed the case, terming the allegations as baseless. The Convenor of Jati Ant Sangharsh Samiti, Subodh More, claims that the inquiry committee was not formed following the UGC guidelines. Therefore, the organization accused the committee of hiding the matter. Also said that the investigation report was invalid.
The matter reached the SC / ST commission
Thereafter Sugat and the organization approached the SC/ST Commission. After the hearing, the commission asked the hospital dean to follow the UGC guidelines and constitute a committee involving voluntary organizations, local journalists.
Police n registered case after almost a month
Apart from this, the Bhoiwada police have been directed to submit a report in eight days by registering a case under the SC ST Prohibition Act 1989. Please tell that Sugat had lodged a complaint with the police on 17 December 2021. But a case has been registered on January 14. DCP Vijay Patil, who is probing the matter, said that the investigation is on and the statements of all the people concerned are being recorded. Everything will come out in the investigation. Police will submit its investigation report in eight days. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty.
Courtesy: Dainik Bhaskar
Note: This news piece was originally published in dainikbhaskar.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights objectives.