November 18, 2024: A tragic incident has unfolded at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Dharpur Patan, Gujarat, where a first-year MBBS student, Anil Methania, reportedly died after being subjected to an alleged ragging ordeal by senior students. Anil, who had joined the college this year, was made to stand for hours as part of an initiation or “introduction” ritual, a form of ragging that is still prevalent in some educational institutions despite a nationwide ban.

According to reports, Anil was among several first-year students who were forced to stand for three continuous hours by third-year students at the college hostel. Ragging, often disguised as a form of initiation, is a practice where seniors humiliate or harass freshers, sometimes leading to serious physical and emotional trauma.

Sources indicate that after enduring the grueling three-hour session, Anil collapsed and lost consciousness. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he later died. Before his death, Anil reportedly gave a statement to the police, confirming that he had been made to stand for an extended period as part of the ragging activity.

Anil's cousin, Dharmendra, expressed his family's anguish after receiving a call from the college informing them of Anil’s hospitalization. "We were told that Anil collapsed and was hospitalized. When we arrived, we learned that he had been ragged by third-year students. We demand justice for what happened to him," said Dharmendra. The family hails from Surendranagar, more than 150 kilometers away from the college.

The college administration has confirmed that Anil's collapse was linked to the alleged ragging incident. Hardik Shah, the dean of GMERS Medical College, stated, “As soon as we were informed of the incident, we hospitalized him immediately. Anil provided a statement to the police, confirming that he had been subjected to ragging, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigation.”

Senior police officer KK Pandya revealed that a complaint had been filed by Anil’s father, and a case of accidental death has been registered. "The autopsy has been conducted, and we are awaiting the medical report, which will provide more clarity on the cause of death. We have also asked the college for detailed information regarding the ragging incident," he said. Based on the findings of the investigation, further action will be determined.

Ragging has long been a contentious issue in India, despite being outlawed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which has called for strict action against any form of ragging or harassment. The UGC mandates that universities and colleges across the country must take preventive measures to curb ragging, with any violations leading to severe penalties for the perpetrators.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in curbing ragging in some educational institutions, even though numerous steps have been taken over the years to eliminate the practice. The tragic death of Anil Methania has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of anti-ragging regulations and the need for stronger enforcement to protect students from such violence.

The incident has sparked outrage among students, parents, and social activists, many of whom are demanding that the college authorities take strict action against the senior students involved in this inhumane practice.