Ragging video on social media, 7 students of CMC Vellore suspended

CMC principal Dr Solomon Sathishkumar said Tuesday that the institute has a “zero tolerance policy” towards ragging. A top source in the college said the anti-ragging committee was conducting a detailed Inquiry into the issue. The college also received an anonymous email with complaints of ragging.

A decision on taking criminal action against the seven suspended students through the police is yet to be taken, according to a source familiar with the ongoing inquiry process.

“Before this, there were no such complaints. Even this complaint was submitted under anonymity. Even if junior students are hesitant to name specific students, we are moving forward with strict action because an institution like the CMC, which has always been known for aptitude and selfless services in medical education, cannot afford to take a beating on its reputation,” said a college official.

Responding to a query by Indianexpress.com on the incident, the college administration in an email communication said: “The college was in receipt of an anonymous email with complaints of ragging. A video also had been circulated. The college authorities had immediately instituted an enquiry committee to look into this issue along with the anti-ragging committee of the institution. The matter is being dealt with in all earnestness as ragging is prohibited in the institution,” the mail read.

Meanwhile, a social media user shared an anonymous Reddit post by a person claiming to be a first-year student of the college. The student described the alleged torture inflicted on the juniors by senior students. He claimed that there have been multiple incidents of ragging at the men’s hostel at the CMC. He added that ever since his batch joined in March this year, one or the other person was subjected to physical and sexual abuse.

The student claimed a ‘ragging ceremony’ was held on October 9 and all the juniors were forced to strip to their underwear. He said the programme took place in the presence of wardens and even some doctors who acted as ‘judges’.

(With inputs from Janardhan Koushik)