Jhajjar Medical Students On Strike Since Sept, Haryana Govt Aloof

We wanted to become doctors to serve the nation. Unfortunately, it seems that the nation is not worried for us.

MBBS students from Jhajjar Medical College stage a protest in Delhi.  

(Photo Courtesy: Megha Saini/Altered by The Quint)

Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Video Producer: Aastha Gulati

Since the last 45 days, students of the World College Of Medical Sciences in Jhajjar, Haryana have been protesting to be transferred to a college recognised by the Medical Council of India.

Our college failed MCI’s assessments thrice, as a result of which they have been debarred from admitting a fresh batch of medical students. Ours is the only batch (2016) in the college. Because of the debarment, we stand at risk of losing recognition of our degrees.

A protesting student admitted to Civil Hospital in Jhajjar.

A protesting student admitted to Civil Hospital in Jhajjar.

A protesting student admitted to Civil Hospital in Jhajjar.

A protesting student admitted to Civil Hospital in Jhajjar.

In attempts to be heard by the state government, on 5 October, several students sat on an indefinite hunger strike. Wednesday, 16 October marks the 45th day of our protest and the 11th day of the hunger strike.

On 27 August, we wrote to the prime minister and to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to grant us permission for mercy killing. No one heard our pleas.

“We wanted to become doctors to serve the nation. Unfortunately, it seems that the country, its people, and its ministers are not worried about us.”

Deepanshu, MBBS Student

Given the state of the college, its infrastructure, and the non-availability of teaching staff and patients, we students were left confused as to how the college managed to get permission for admissions for the first batch.

Medical students at the protest site.(Photo Courtesy: Megha Saini)

In 2017, a few reports suggested that officials were allegedly bribed to overturn the debarment order. What is our fault here?

“We cleared NEET in 2016 and got admission through the proper channel. The government took responsibility for the college. We paid the fees on time, passed all the exams. We only want to know why we are not being given quality medical education.”

Swapnil, MBBS Student

It was through an RTI earlier this year that we got to know ours was a conditional permission contingent on the college fulfilling all deficiencies found in the MCI inspection.

During the third renewal, they (MCI) wrote that ‘The Board of Governors decided that the request of the Trust and the Medical College for grant of a third renewal of permission and admission of 4th MBBS batch is without merit and stands rejected.’

The Quint has accessed this document.

Hence, the current batch’s renewal was cancelled and fresh admissions for the fourth year were also rejected.

Now, the essentiality certificate issued by the state government to the college (The Quint has access to this document) states that if a college fails to create infrastructure (as per with MCI norms) or fresh admissions are stopped, then the students already studying at the institution become the responsibility of the state government. The state government should then shift these students in other colleges.

Students of Jhajjar Medical College protest at India Gate. (Photo Courtesy: Megha Saini)

None of that seems to be happening.

“Ours is the only batch and even our renewal has been declared null and void. We won’t get our degree, so we can’t study further, ie we can’t do our post graduation, and neither can we practise.”

Komal, MBBS Student

Our future is uncertain. We are only getting false promises. No one is finding a solution to this or listening to us.

(The Principal and Chairman of World College of Medical Sciences refused to answer any of The Quint’s queries.)

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