‘Mein aapki har bat sunon ga, taqreeban manon ga’, says Chairman Avicenna

The controversy of Avicenna Medical College where the students had levelled serious allegations against the chairman and college administration has taken a turn as the Principal cum Chairman Abdul Waheed Sheikh has agreed to the demands of the students.

Background

The matter of the medical college being a torture cell has been in the news ever since 2018 when The Express Tribune reported a viral video of a man destroying the cell phones of the students and the college turning into a prison for the young learners. As recently as two days ago (April 28), following the news of a student Mahnoor Nadeem allegedly committing suicide because of the strict policies of the college while it was claimed she died of a heart attack, the matter was all over social media. Netizens expressed concerns over the claims of torture, heavy fines, and verbal abuse and so it got the momentum.

Read More: Torture, verbal abuse, heavy fines; shocking revelations about Avicenna Medical College

Students Protest

Yesterday (Monday) students and parents launched a protest against the torturous policies of the college and as it got media attention, chairman Sheikh came out to address the protesting students who kept on chanting, “We want Justice”.

He assured them of compensation for the grievances of the past. He started off by saying that “I will be more sympathetic in the future”. Moreover, he said, “Mein apki har bat sunon ga, taqreeban manon ga” which can be translated as, “I will listen to you and will almost accept everything as well.” Later, while addressing the crowd, Sheikh announced that the “pink list” policy of punishing students will be terminated. Additionally, there shall be no fines in the future and the policy of issuing a leave will be in accordance with the monitoring body of UHS (University of Health Sciences). He promised the students that no action would be taken against those who are protesting.

In a video released by students on YouTube channel Digital Diary 7127, it can be seen how the fine policy and the clause of action against the students was deliberated with the Chairman and then he finally agrees to it.

Professor M.N Tabassum, who was allegedly fired from King Edward Medical University on allegations of sexual harassment, will not be involved in any sort of teaching and academic activities along with the discipline committee.

The Current got a hold of the exclusive footage of the Chairman talking to the media where the reporter asks him about being known for using abusive language with female students, but he denies it altogether. When he is asked about physical torture and viral videos he said, “It used to happen in the past, probably before 2015 but it does not happen anymore.” The students behind the camera can be heard saying, “Woh mukar gaya hai” meaning “He has backtracked.”

Response of the students

The same student who shared the video with The Current on the condition of confidentiality explained how fellow students are reacting to it. Do you think the matter is resolved now, The Current asked. “For now, yes, but in the long run, I don’t know. Because the thing that has been going on for so long and on such big scale… it can’t be resolved just like this.”

“According to many students we might have gotten this off our backs but we will still face the consequences,” the student expressed concern.

She also alleged how the administration is making crores of rupees with fines and exempting them will be a huge loss for them which is highly unlikely for them to let go of.

Social media reactions

Netizens reacted to the video in which the Chairman is pledging to address the students’ demand. Hmad Nawaz wrote, “Concern after being exposed is always hollow.” She urged the people in authority who can even remotely help with “the cause to initiate a governmental inquiry into Avicenna Medical College’s torture story.”

Meet Abdul Waheed Sheikh, an Ex-Army man, now running a prison called Avicenna Medical College who came up with grotesque punishment concepts like “pink-lists”, shaving heads, cutting clothes, protecting sexual harassers. Concern after being exposed is always hollow. pic.twitter.com/72TPQrbxR1

— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) April 29, 2024

As the whole protest ended with the students praying for the dead student, Mahnoor Nadeem, Dr Ahmad Rehan Khan on Twitter asked for the end of the mistreatment of the students by the college and “hold perpetrators responsible” before moving forward.

My Perspective on the Avicenna Incident.

✨Medical Students' Lives Are Important

✨End The Mistreatment

✨Hold Perpetrators Responsible#justiceformahnoor #Pakistan #avicennamedicalcollege #MedEd #MedTwitter #SuicidePrevention pic.twitter.com/ba8GMclCy0

— Dr Ahmad Rehan Khan (@AhmadRehanKhan) April 30, 2024