MADURAI
The Anti-Ragging Committee (ARC) of Madurai Medical College (MMC), which met on Monday, reduced the duration of suspension of 19 second year MBBS students from the college for ragging first year students from six months to 45 days.
The decision was taken after the parents of these students appeared before ARC and submitted a declaration guaranteeing good conduct of the students in future. However, the prohibition imposed on these 19 students from entering the college hostel for one year will continue, the college administration said.
The 19 students were suspended by MMC on September 3, 2018, following an inquiry on a complaint of ragging sent by first year students directly to the anti-ragging committee functioning under the Medical Council of India.
The first year students had complained of ragging involving a number of incidents, including juniors being forced to run errands, salute the seniors, wear formal clothes even while sleeping and avoid sporting of moustaches and beards.
D. Maruthupandian, Dean, MMC and Government Rajaji Hospital, said that while the suspended students had earlier submitted letters of apology, their parents had also individually written to the college requesting to reconsider the suspension since the students cannot sit for examination and will consequently end up losing a whole academic year.
He said that the parents were asked to appear before ARC on Monday, during which they submitted letters assuring that their children will not indulge in any unethical activities and also stating that they will not intervene in any action taken by the college in the future if the students misbehaved.
“Moreover, we consulted the first year students who were affected as well. They were also okay with reducing the punishment,” he added.
The students will now be able to report back to college on October 18, 2018, the Dean said.
