Massive Protest at Pune’s BJ Medical College: ABVP Alleges Casteism, Sexual Harassment, and “Institutional Tyranny”
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 30th March 2026: The B.J. Government Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon General Hospital were rocked by intense protests today as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) submitted an exhaustive memorandum to the Dean. The 36-point grievance list alleges a toxic environment involving caste-based discrimination, the verbal and mental harassment of female students, and systemic financial exploitation.
The protest, led by ABVP Pune Metropolitan Secretary Radhey Baheghavankar and Joint Secretary Abhishek Chavan, highlighted what students describe as “arbitrary and regressive” administration.
Serious Allegations of Harassment and Moral Policing
The memorandum contains shocking details regarding the treatment of female students in hostels:
- Character Assassination: Female students alleged that on-duty staff frequently question their character based on their clothing and ask intrusive questions about “who they are meeting and why.”
- Inappropriate Questioning: The complaint states that night-shift staff have used “vulgar language,” accusing students of possessing contraceptives, condoms, or alcohol without evidence.
- Hostel “Prison” Rules: Students reported being forced to leave or enter hostels strictly between 7 AM and 7 PM, even if travel schedules differ. Staff allegedly verbally and mentally harass girls who arrive before 7 AM.
- Privacy Violations: Students alleged that staff conduct unauthorized searches of cupboards and rooms, using “low-level language” during inspections.
- Surveillance: In a bizarre claim, students stated that if a male classmate visits a sick female student, staff secretly take photographs to “malign their character.”
Caste Discrimination and Religious Imposition
The ABVP has accused the administration of deep-seated bias:
- Casteist Slurs: Students from SC/ST categories are reportedly taunted with remarks such as, “You only come to college for the scholarship.”
- Religious Bias: The memorandum alleges that while Christmas is the only festival celebrated—with attendance made mandatory under threat of a 5-day penalty—students are blocked from celebrating the birth anniversaries of national icons (Mahapurush) or visiting temples.
- Leave Hurdles: In cases of family bereavement, the administration reportedly demands a death certificate before granting leave.
Financial and Academic Exploitation
The protest also brought to light several “illegal” administrative practices:
- Exam “Levies”: Students are allegedly forced to pay for the travel, food, and stay of external examiners during MUHS practical exams.
- Academic Threats: Faculty members reportedly threaten students by saying, “Internal marks are in our hands,” and use threats of failing students for six months to suppress complaints.
- Arbitrary Penalties: A “1:5 ratio” for makeup duties (five days of work for one day of absence) was criticized as unjust.
Demands for Paramedical (BPMT) Students
A significant portion of the protest focused on Bachelor of Paramedical Technology (BPMT) students, who feel neglected:
- Academic Balance: Stop over-utilizing BPMT students for hospital work at the cost of their lectures and practicals.
- Infrastructure: Provide dedicated classrooms and libraries for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year students.
- Representation: Establish a formal Paramedical Committee within the college.
- Housing: Reserve specific seats in government hostels or provide separate hostels for BPMT students.
- Post-Graduation: Initiate correspondence with the government to start PG courses for BPMT.
- Fee Regulation: Control the annual hike in fees and ensure facilities match the costs.
Call for Immediate Reform
The ABVP has demanded the immediate dissolution of the current Student Nurses Association (SNA) body and called for fresh, transparent elections and an audit of SNA funds. They also urged the administration to allow students to participate in cultural (Spandan) and sports (MUHS Sports) events, which are currently restricted.
“The environment at BJMC has become one of fear and suppression,” said an ABVP representative. “From casteist comments to the mental torture of female students, the administration is failing its most basic duties.”
The College Dean has received the memorandum, but an official response to these specific allegations is currently awaited.
