Ragging in Telangana medical colleges: A rite of passage or a lifetime of scars? Premium

Medical student Vikram faces humiliation and abuse in a Telangana college, shedding light on the persistent issue of ragging.

Vikram (name changed) was just another first-year MBBS student at the Government Medical College Khammam in Telangana, trying to find his way through the maze of lectures, labs and late-night study sessions. On November 12 last year, as he walked back to his hostel, he ran a hand over his freshly trimmed hair. It was nothing drastic; just a routine cut, or so he thought until he stepped into the hostel. The laughter came first — loud, mocking, floating down the corridor from the floor above.

“Nice haircut. Looks like you are trying to copy the Chinese,” a senior sneered. Another voice chimed in, the mocking tone sharper: “Maybe go for something more Indian next time?” The jeers echoed, followed by a chorus of laughter.

Vikram felt a slow burn of embarrassment creep up his spine. He lowered his gaze and hurried into his room. His roommate glanced up, but said nothing. Vikram studied his reflection in the mirror. The more he stared, the more he doubted himself. Maybe if he trimmed a little more, the jokes would stop. Scissors in hand, he made small, hesitant cuts. But the damage had already been done, far beyond his hair.

Humiliated, he decided to seek help. He turned to the college’s anti-ragging officer, assistant professor Rahman expecting support, perhaps even action against the seniors. Instead, the professor eyed him for a moment and said, “Let’s fix this”.

Vikram did not quite understand what it meant, not until he found himself in a salon chair outside the campus. Rahman spoke to the barber in hushed tones and then, clippers buzzed to life. A strip of his hair fell to the floor. Then another. Then another. Within minutes, his head had been shaved.

A lump formed in Vikram’s throat. The humiliation he had tried so hard to escape had come a full circle — not from his seniors this time, but from someone supposed to protect him. That night, sleep eluded him. The whispers in the hostel, the stolen glances, the barely concealed smirks were all inescapable.

By morning, his resolve had hardened. With his heart pounding and mind still reeling, he walked into the principal’s office and filed a complaint. The matter quickly escalated to the Director of Medical Education (DME), and within days, Rahman was suspended.