The tragic death of Dr. Divesh Garg, a junior doctor at a private medical college and hospital in Uttarakhand, has sparked a wave of sorrow and outrage. Dr. Garg was found deceased in his hostel room on May 17, prompting allegations of harassment and mistreatment against his professors and the college's management.
Dr. Garg's family has accused Dr. Utkarsh Sharma, Dr. Ashish Sethi, and Dr. Bindu Agarwal, along with the college's management committee, of driving him to suicide. According to his father, Dr. Garg faced relentless harassment from his professors, including being forced to work grueling 36-hour shifts even while ill with a high fever. Additionally, he alleged that Dr. Sharma demanded a bribe of 500,000 rupees for approving Dr. Garg's thesis and that Dr. Agarwal subjected him to mental torture.
Despite his family's efforts to intervene and assure him of support, Dr. Garg ultimately took his own life. His family believes his death was the result of a conspiracy, alleging that the circumstances surrounding his demise suggest foul play.
In response to the allegations, the college management has called for an impartial investigation into the matter, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. They have formed an interim inquiry committee to conduct a thorough investigation and prepare a comprehensive report. The police, meanwhile, are awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of Dr. Garg's death.
Dr. Garg's untimely demise has ignited protests by fellow PG doctors at the hospital, highlighting broader concerns about the demanding work culture and toxicity prevalent in medical education. Many have voiced grievances about working excessively long hours without adequate rest or support, leading to significant mental and physical strain.
As the investigation unfolds and the truth behind Dr. Garg's death is sought, calls for justice and systemic reforms in medical education continue to resonate on social media under the hashtag #JusticeForDrDiveshGarg. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address issues of harassment, mental health support, and work-life balance in medical institutions to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
