‘Will ruin your career’: MRMCH principal accused of misconduct, student harassment; FAIMA seeks removal

“We will ruin your career” are the words of a medical college principal who can be seen addressing protesting students in a video that surfaced online. The Federation of Medical Students’ Association has demanded action against the college head P N Mahato for alleged misbehaviour and harassment of students at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MRMCH), Palamu.

In the video which has gained attention of the medical community, students can be heard complaining about lack of basic amenities such as electricity, water on premises and delay in the conduct of exams. The students charged that the whole of Jharkhand is appearing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test - Postgraduate ( NEET PG ) except them due to administrative delay which has led to waste of a year.

Anger online towards Palamu college principal

Several doctors and medical groups expressed disappointment and criticised the principal's behaviour. "A video has surfaced showing Dr P N Mahato, #Principal of Medini Rai Medical College and Hospital (MRMCH) in Palamu, Jharkhand, allegedly threatening students, including female doctors, for raising voices! How are such people getting such positions?," asked a health activist in a post on X.

Condemning the incident, an award-winning doctor commented, "Dr P N Mahato, Principal MRMCH, Palamu, Jharkhand "Career Barbaad Kar denge, 500 log ko bula lenge", threats on-camera to all the Medical students and doctors. These people are work like puppets, even do not use their brains."

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"He is Dr PN Mahto, principal of Palamu medical college Jharkhand. Students are protesting for the basic amenities they require in the hostel, but see the audacity of the principal, instead of solving the problem he is arguing with the students. Shame," remarked an MBBS student.

In a letter to the health minister of Jharkhand, Irfan Ansari, the medical association raised concerns and highlighted the alleged threats made by the doctor including “how will you pass?” during a heated argument with the PG medical students and demanded an impartial investigation into his conduct.

“The allegations made by the students of Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MRMCH), Palamu against the principal Dr P N Mahato are not only inhumane but also hurt the dignity of a respected field like medical education,” FAIMA noted.

FAIMA's demands

The doctors’ group argued that this kind of behavior is completely inappropriate, unprofessional and comes under the category of mental harassment. When the head of a medical college adopts such language and attitude, it has a profound negative impact on the education, mental health and self-esteem of the students.

Aiming to ensure that no student in any corner of the country becomes a victim of administrative dictatorship, FAIMA made the following demands from the Jharkhand government:

• An impartial and independent inquiry should be conducted into the behavior of principal.
• Appropriate disciplinary action should be ensured for threatening and insulting students.
• A student grievance redressal committee should be formed in all the medical colleges of the state.
• It should be ensured that no administrative officer uses unethical, dictatorial or abusive language with the students.

“FAIMA fully stands with the students of MRMCH Palamu and if necessary, medical students and doctors from across the country will be united to provide support on a large scale. You are requested to take this matter seriously and take prompt and fair action,” it added.