Barmer medical college ragging scandal: 80 students face action over obscene WhatsApp messages
Synopsis
A ragging scandal at Barmer's Government Medical College has led to disciplinary action against 80 students after seniors allegedly used WhatsApp to send obscene content to juniors. The response — ranging from permanent hostel expulsion to a one-year extracurricular ban — is one of the most sweeping institutional crackdowns on medical college ragging seen in Rajasthan in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
80 students at Government Medical College, Barmer face disciplinary action over a ragging scandal involving obscene WhatsApp messages.
13 students have been permanently expelled from the hostel; 6 suspended from academics for 60 days .
7 students barred from classes for 30 days ; 11 suspended from hostel for 30 days .
34 students issued strict warnings; all 80 barred from sports and cultural events for one year .
5 junior students from the 2026 batch also warned for conduct-related issues.
Anoop Gurjar confirmed 250 CCTV cameras have been installed across the campus.
A serious ragging scandal has surfaced at the Government Medical College in Barmer, Rajasthan, after senior students allegedly sent obscene messages and content to juniors via WhatsApp and subjected them to verbal abuse and mental harassment. Acting on formal complaints, the college administration has initiated disciplinary action against 80 students following an inquiry and recommendations by the Anti-Ragging Committee.
Key Disciplinary Actions
The punishments span a range of severity. 13 students have been permanently expelled from the college hostel, while six have been suspended from all academic activities for 60 days. An additional seven students have been barred from attending classes for 30 days.
A further 11 students have been suspended from the hostel for 30 days, and 34 students have received strict warnings, with the administration making clear that any repeat involvement in ragging or misconduct could result in immediate expulsion. Notably, five junior students from the 2026 batch have also been issued warnings and advised to maintain proper conduct.
Extracurricular Ban and Campus Surveillance
Beyond academic penalties, all 80 students facing disciplinary action have been barred from participating in college sports and cultural events for one year. The college has also installed 250 CCTV cameras across campus to monitor activities and deter future incidents.
What the Principal Said
Dr. Anoop Gurjar, Principal of the Government Medical College, Barmer, confirmed the incident and the actions taken. 'Recently, senior students were seen on social media demanding introductions from a batch of 130 junior students. As soon as we received this information, immediate action was taken,' Dr. Gurjar said. He added that the Anti-Ragging Committee independently investigated the allegations and confirmed them before recommending the penalties.
Why This Matters
The Barmer case is a reminder that ragging — despite being banned under a Supreme Court directive and the University Grants Commission (UGC) anti-ragging regulations — continues to surface in medical colleges across India. The use of private messaging platforms like WhatsApp to perpetuate harassment adds a digital dimension that campus surveillance alone may not fully address. This comes amid growing calls from student rights groups for stronger enforcement of the UGC Anti-Ragging Regulations and faster institutional response to complaints. The college administration's multi-tier response — combining expulsions, academic suspension, hostel bans, and activity restrictions — signals a deliberate effort to send a deterrent message.
Point of View
But the warning issued to five juniors raises questions about how the investigation characterised victim behaviour. More broadly, the episode highlights that India's medical colleges remain institutional flashpoints for ragging, and that digital harassment is now the frontier that UGC regulations have not fully caught up with.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Government Medical College in Barmer?
Senior students at Government Medical College, Barmer, Rajasthan, allegedly sent obscene messages and content to junior students via WhatsApp and subjected them to verbal and mental harassment. Following complaints and an Anti-Ragging Committee inquiry, disciplinary action was taken against 80 students.
What punishments have been handed out in the Barmer ragging case?
13 students were permanently expelled from the hostel, 6 suspended from academics for 60 days, 7 barred from classes for 30 days, 11 suspended from the hostel for 30 days, and 34 issued strict warnings. All 80 students facing action are also barred from sports and cultural activities for one year.
Who confirmed the ragging action at Barmer medical college?
Dr. Anoop Gurjar, Principal of Government Medical College, Barmer, confirmed that the Anti-Ragging Committee investigated and verified the allegations before recommending disciplinary action. He also noted that 250 CCTV cameras have been installed on campus.
Were junior students also penalised in the Barmer ragging case?
Yes. Five junior students from the 2026 batch were issued warnings and advised to maintain proper conduct, though the nature of their involvement has not been detailed publicly by the administration.
Is ragging illegal in Indian medical colleges?
Yes. Ragging is prohibited in all educational institutions across India under Supreme Court directives and the University Grants Commission (UGC) Anti-Ragging Regulations. Institutions are required to maintain Anti-Ragging Committees and can impose penalties ranging from warnings to expulsion and criminal prosecution.
