9 hrs ago
Gujarat Doctors Allege Ragging and Harassment; Professor Transferred
Eighteen resident doctors in Vadodara complained about a senior teacher at their medical college.
They said he bullied and harassed them and threatened their academic careers.
Some women also alleged that he made inappropriate comments and gestures.
The doctors showed their complaints and supporting material to Gujarat’s health minister.
The minister said student safety and dignity were important.
Soon afterward, the professor was transferred to another medical college in Bhavnagar.
The professor’s wife denied the allegations.
She said a committee was already investigating and that her husband was cooperating.
The incident comes soon after a medical student in Surat died by suicide following allegations of ragging.
Eighteen psychiatry resident doctors at Vadodara’s SSG Hospital and Baroda Medical College complained against associate professor Dr Chirag Barot.
The allegations included ragging, mental harassment, inappropriate messages, obscene gestures, and threats involving theses and examinations.
The complaints were presented to Health Minister Praful Pansheriya during a closed-door meeting after a surprise hospital inspection.
The Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department transferred Barot from Government Medical College, Vadodara, to Government Medical College, Bhavnagar.
Barot’s wife, Dr Dhara Barot, denied the allegations and said an official inquiry was already underway.
- Who
- Eighteen psychiatry resident doctors, associate professor Dr Chirag Barot, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, and the state Health and Family Welfare Department.
- What
- Resident doctors alleged ragging, harassment, inappropriate conduct, and threats affecting their academic careers; the accused professor was transferred while an inquiry continued.
- Where
- SSG Hospital and Baroda Medical College in Vadodara, Gujarat; Barot was transferred to Government Medical College, Bhavnagar.
- When
- The minister’s visit occurred on Thursday, and the transfer was ordered through an internal communication issued on Friday.
- Why
- The complaints were escalated to the health ministry after being raised before the psychiatry department’s anti-ragging committee.
Resident Doctors’ Allegations
Professor’s Defense
Harassment and ragging
Resident Doctors’ Allegations
The 18 doctors alleged physical and mental harassment, ragging, inappropriate messages, and demands made after working hours.
Professor’s Defense
Dr Dhara Barot denied the allegations and said students had visited their home on multiple occasions in the presence of her and her son.
Academic threats
Resident Doctors’ Allegations
The doctors said they were threatened with consequences involving their theses and examinations.
Professor’s Defense
Barot’s wife said her husband had submitted his reply, was cooperating with the committee, and should be judged through a fair inquiry.
Immediate transfer
Resident Doctors’ Allegations
The government treated the complaints and supporting material seriously and ordered immediate administrative action.
Professor’s Defense
Barot’s wife questioned why the residents did not wait for the ongoing inquiry’s outcome and expressed concern about her husband’s stress.
Key facts
- Complainants
- Eighteen resident doctors from the psychiatry department
- Accused faculty member
- Dr Chirag Barot, an associate professor
- Allegations
- Ragging, mental harassment, inappropriate messages and comments, obscene gestures, and threats involving theses and examinations
- Ministerial meeting
- A closed-door interaction with Health Minister Praful Pansheriya lasted about an hour
- Administrative action
- Barot was transferred with immediate effect from Government Medical College, Vadodara, to Government Medical College, Bhavnagar
- Government position
- The health minister said Gujarat had a zero-tolerance approach to ragging, harassment, and misconduct
- Response from accused’s family
- Dr Dhara Barot denied the allegations and said a committee inquiry was ongoing
Quotes
Praful Pansheriya
Gujarat Health Minister
“There is an ongoing inquiry into the complaints filed by the students. A committee has already been formed. We have been patient about the inquiry and are awaiting the report. My husband has already submitted his reply to the committee and is cooperating in the probe. Why then were these residents not able to have patience and wait for the outcome of the probe?”
indianexpress.com
“These students who have been alleging that he called them home for meals and was involved in ragging came to our home on multiple occasions—in the presence of my son and I. I have cooked meals for them myself. We never imagined that being nice would turn into a nightmare…We don’t know the motive behind the allegations.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Four Senior Doctors Suspended After Gujarat Resident Doctor Suicide
Doctor Found Dead at Surat Hostel; Four Seniors Suspended
Two resident doctors appear before police in Surat ragging suicide case
Gujarat Suspends Surat Medical College Department Head After Student Suicide
Gujarat Hospital Medical Officer Booked Over Doctor Assault
Gujarat medical student dies after alleged ragging; four doctors suspended
Three-Foot Ganesh Baraiya Becomes Government Doctor After Legal Battle
World's Smallest Doctor Ganesh Baraiah Wins Hearts on KBC 18
