192 medical students, doctors, staff face the music for opposing July movement

• The list includes 18 doctors, 43 intern doctors, 108 students, and 23 external doctors
• Of these individuals, 11 may face criminal charges
• Measures include suspension, expulsion from campuses and halls, and potential legal action
• The move comes after pro-movement students demanded their punishment

At least 192 doctors, interns, and students from eight medical colleges across the country are facing disciplinary action for opposing the Anti-discrimination Movement and allegedly intimidating, torturing, and extorting pro-movement students.

In response to demands from pro-movement students, authorities are enforcing suspensions, expulsions, and potential legal actions against these individuals.

The list includes 18 doctors, 43 intern doctors, 108 students, and 23 external doctors, all reportedly linked to Awami League politics. Of these, 11 individuals may face criminal charges, as detailed in medical college office orders and academic council decisions obtained by TBS.

The involved medical colleges are Sir Salimullah Medical College (Mitford Hospital), Rajshahi Medical College, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Mymensingh Medical College, Rangpur Medical College, Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, M Abdur Rahim Medical College, and Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College.

Rajshahi Medical College Principal Faisal Alam told TBS there were no direct orders from the interim government, but students and senior government officials have consistently called for action against those responsible.

In response, two inquiry committees were formed, where the accused were also given the opportunity to present their statements, he said.

"Based on inquiry reports, action was taken against 20 students during an academic council meeting. Besides, six teachers, who were not on this list, have been suspended from academic duties and recommended for transfer," he added.

The context for this crackdown arises from the student-led mass uprising, which led to the overthrow of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina after more than 15 years in power. 

Following Hasina's departure from the country on 5 August, many of her party's leaders and activists went into hiding.

Students from various educational institutions, including medical colleges, declared leaders and activists of Chhatra League, AL's student wing, unwelcome on campuses and demanded punishment for their past misdeeds.

Sir Salimullah Medical College

The academic council of Sir Salimullah Medical College has decided to take disciplinary and legal action against 21 individuals, including external doctors and intern doctors. 

The decision was made during the academic council meeting held on 21 August. 

As punishment, 13 external doctors were permanently banned from the campus, and four students were expelled from the intern hall for life. 

The remaining individuals received varying penalties based on the severity of their involvement.

Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College

At Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, disciplinary action has been initiated against 53 individuals, including 11 teachers. 

This decision was recently made during an academic council meeting. 

Six teachers were suspended from both academic and administrative duties, while five were issued show-cause notices for opposing the movement.

Among the students, nine out of 19 were permanently barred from the hall, while the others received varying lengths of expulsion. 

Fifteen intern doctors were also penalised, with 12 having their internships suspended for periods ranging from six months to two years. 

Two intern doctors were banned from the campus, and 10 were permanently barred from the hall. 

Additionally, six external doctors were declared permanently unwelcome on the campus.

Rajshahi Medical College

At Rajshahi Medical College, 20 students have been subjected to various penalties by the Medical College Hospital authorities. 

Depending on the offence, students faced disqualification from academic activities and expulsion from the hall for periods ranging from six months to one year. 

The decision was conveyed in an order recently signed by the hospital principal, Khondokar Md Faisal Alam.

Rangpur Medical College

Rangpur Medical College has permanently banned 14 students from the campus. Additionally, two students have been suspended from academic activities for two years. 

This decision was made during the academic council meeting on 22 September.

Mymensingh Medical College

Thirteen intern doctors from Mymensingh Medical College were permanently banned from the hostel, with 11 of them having their internships terminated for periods ranging from six months to two years. 

The disciplinary action was formalised in an office order signed by the college's Director, Brigadier General Md Golam Ferdous, on 21 September.

Sher-e-Bangla Medical College

Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital authorities have ordered the transfer of four doctors and declared them unwelcome on campus. 

In an office order signed by the hospital's director, two external doctors were banned from the campus for life, and six intern doctors were suspended for two years.

M Abdur Rahim Medical College

The hospital authorities have temporarily expelled 39 students from the campus and hostels. 

According to the decision made at the academic council meeting, these students are prohibited from moving freely within the campus and hostels.

In an order signed by hospital principal AFM Nurullah on 29 August, the accused students were barred from accessing the campus and hostels until the inquiry committee's report is reviewed and permanent disciplinary orders are issued.

Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College

Disciplinary action has been taken against 18 individuals, including three doctors, following a recent academic council meeting at the medical college. 

As part of the measures, two doctors had their BMDC certificates suspended.

Additionally, 15 students were permanently banned from the hostel, suspended from academic activities, and had their internships terminated for various durations.