A female trainee doctor’s rape and murder at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has led to a surge in complaints from students of several government medical colleges in West Bengal.
Reports suggest that there are serious allegations of political links with the ruling Trinamool Congress, and that there is a widespread atmosphere of rigging and manipulation of the examination system through bribery and favouritism.
In recent weeks, complaints have emerged from at least seven prominent medical institutions in the state. Students have expressed concerns that they will be failed if they do not comply with specific demands, as well as denied registration with the West Bengal Medical Council if bribes are not paid, The Indian Express reported.
The allegations include unfair grading during the selection of house staff and being forced to work at hospital events. This alarming trend of complaints highlights a disturbing culture of corruption within the state’s medical education system, prompting students to demand urgent reform, the report said.
So far the administration has not given any public response to these serious allegations, leaving many students worried about the integrity of their education and future careers.
The allegations have surfaced in several top medical colleges in West Bengal following the arrest of former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh in early September.
This investigation has led students to report a variety of irregularities at these institutions. The complaints have led the state government and individual medical colleges to set up their own investigation panels.
On September 12, the North Bengal Medical College suspended five student doctors for six months and barred them from entering the campus or hostels. The decision was taken in response to the blockade of the college by junior doctors on September 2.
On October 1, an inquiry panel looking into similar claims at RG Kar issued its report. Of the 51 doctors who received notices on September 10, 40 were found guilty of “intimidation”, The Indian Express reported, citing sources. 40 student doctors at Kalyani’s College of Medicine and JNM Hospital have been suspended for six months, with them allowed to enter the campus only for exams.