Intense protests at North Bengal Medical College over alleged marksheet tampering; two officials resign

NEW DELHI: North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri is facing severe allegations as students, interns, and doctors have accused the institution of mark sheet tampering and fostering a culture of threats. Amid intensive protests by students and junior doctors, Sandeep Sengupta, the dean of student affairs and Sudipta Shil, the assistant dean have resigned from their posts on Wednesday night.

Since Wednesday afternoon, the protesters had confined the principal, Indrajit Saha, along with Sandeep Sengupta and Sudipta Shil, in Saha's office, accusing certain doctors linked to the Trinamul Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) of misconduct. The protesters also alleged that TMCP-affiliated doctors were involved in exam malpractices at the medical college, The Telegraph reported.

Allegations of Malpractice and Favouritism

Protesters voiced concerns about exam malpractices, claiming that certain students aligned with the TMCP were given preferential treatment during internal assessments. The junior doctors and students also accused the administration of turning a blind eye to these issues, which they say has created an atmosphere of unfairness and academic corruption at the institution.

One of the protesting students said, “We are tired of the bias shown towards TMCP-backed doctors and students. The system is rigged, and anyone who speaks out is silenced. This cannot go on.”

"Look how the marks 142 has been re-written as "192" for the TMCP leader Soham Mondal of North Bengal Medical College in MBBS professional exam !! WBUHS is a fraud university which allows home college to evaluate exam papers and they do this. Shamelessness", a student said on 'X'.

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'RG Kar link'

The protesters accused Sengupta and Shil of supporting malpractices orchestrated by Avik Dey, a former student of NBMCH and a first-year postgraduate trainee at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. Avik was reportedly present at the scene of the crime at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, following the murder of a woman doctor. Earlier this week, the TMCP suspended him, and on Thursday, the health department issued his official suspension order.

Protesters’ Demands and Administrative Response

The demonstrators are calling for an independent inquiry into the alleged exam malpractices and a restructuring of the college’s internal processes to ensure fairness. They are also demanding the removal of TMCP-linked doctors from positions of influence and immediate action against those found guilty of misconduct.

In response, the college administration has called for calm and urged the students and junior doctors to resume their duties, stating that their concerns will be taken up by higher authorities. Principal Saha, in a brief statement, said, “We understand the frustrations of the students, and we are working to resolve these issues through dialogue. Administrative changes will take time, but we are committed to ensuring transparency.”