Dr Rakesh Vishnoi, a third-year resident doctor at SN Medical College, Jodhpur, died by suicide on June 13, 2025, allegedly due to sustained harassment by his Head of Department, Dr Raj Kumar Rathore. In a video recorded before his death, Dr Vishnoi named Dr Rathore as responsible for his distress.

His family, supported by hundreds of resident doctors and opposition leaders, has been staging a protest outside Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, refusing to accept his body until their demands including the arrest of the accused and a government job for Dr Vishnoi’s widow are met.

The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for urgent reforms in medical institutions and mental health support for doctors. The Rajasthan government has promised strict action, but protestors remain dissatisfied with the pace and transparency of the investigation.

Family’s Protest and Widening Support from Medical and Political Circles

Since Dr Vishnoi’s death, his family has maintained a sit-in protest, joined by a large number of resident doctors from across Rajasthan and several political leaders. The family alleges that Dr Vishnoi was subjected to relentless mental harassment, including threats to sabotage his thesis and demands for money, by Dr Rathore.

In his final video message, Dr Vishnoi said, “He is troubling me again and again in many ways. That is why I consumed the tablets.” The protest has grown in size and intensity, with demonstrators blocking the hospital entrance and vowing not to cremate Dr Vishnoi’s body until justice is served.

Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia and student leader Nirmal Chaudhary have publicly criticised the government’s response, accusing officials of insensitivity and inaction. Resident doctors’ associations have warned of an indefinite strike if their demands for accountability and systemic change are not addressed.

Systemic Failures and Institutional Inaction Under Scrutiny

Dr Vishnoi’s suicide has brought to light persistent problems within India’s medical education system particularly the lack of robust mental health support and effective grievance redressal mechanisms. SN Medical College, where Dr Vishnoi studied, has seen at least five student suicides in recent years, raising serious concerns about institutional neglect.

Despite the presence of a state-run grievance cell, students and doctors report that complaints are rarely addressed and support for those facing harassment is inadequate. The Rajasthan Medical College Teachers’ Association has called for a fair and impartial investigation, citing Dr Rathore’s previously unblemished record, but many within the medical community argue that the system itself is failing its young professionals.

State Minister KK Vishnoi has assured the public of “strictest legal action against the guilty,” but the lack of concrete action has only fuelled further anger and mistrust among protestors.

Demands for Reform and the Path Forward

The ongoing protests have crystallised a set of clear demands from Dr Vishnoi’s family and supporters: immediate arrest of the accused HOD, a government job for the doctor’s widow, and the establishment of effective mental health support systems for medical students and residents.

The Resident Doctors’ Association and United Doctors Front have also called for mandatory anti-harassment training, regular mental health check-ups, and an independent inquiry into all recent suicides at SN Medical College.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a special committee to investigate the case, but protestors remain sceptical, citing previous instances where such committees failed to deliver justice or meaningful change. The tragedy has triggered a broader conversation about the pressures faced by young doctors in India, with many sharing their own experiences of harassment, burnout, and lack of institutional support.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Dr Rakesh Vishnoi’s untimely death is a stark reminder of the urgent need for empathy, accountability, and systemic reform in India’s medical institutions. The Logical Indian stands with those demanding justice not just for Dr Vishnoi, but for all young professionals facing similar challenges.

We call on authorities to ensure a transparent investigation, deliver justice to the bereaved family, and implement lasting reforms that prioritise mental health and create safer, kinder academic environments. How can we, as a society, work together to break the silence around mental health, ensure institutional accountability, and guarantee that every doctor receives the respect and support they deserve?