Mental harassment by psm dept in my college

Using ChatGPT to conceal my identity.

I genuinely feel like my college’s Community Medicine (PSM) department is extremely poorly managed, and it’s starting to affect my academics and mental health.

For context, I am a 3rd year MBBS student. We are required to do PSM research projects that carry internal marks. While I understand research is part of the curriculum, the way it is being handled here feels exploitative.

Postgraduate students (PGs) often make us do extensive field work, which causes us to miss clinical postings. In many cases, we collect data for projects where our names are not included or acknowledged. We are also asked to assist with their thesis work, including drafting questionnaires and doing groundwork that seems unrelated to our own academic requirements.

There is one particular PG (initials: Dr. K.D.) who regularly threatens students in class with failure and internal mark deductions. This creates a very hostile environment.

Additionally, there have been instances of behavior that many of us feel crosses professional boundaries. She has engaged in overly personal interactions with male students that feel uncomfortable and inappropriate given the power imbalance. We are in our early 20s and she is in a position of authority over us. There have been expectations of personal familiarity, messaging, and communication beyond academic requirements. This creates discomfort because refusing such interactions could potentially affect internal marks.

A few days ago, after hearing a whistle sound in class, she publicly accused students of inappropriate behavior without evidence. Some students have also been marked absent despite being present. About 30 boys including me had to become the scapegoat for something we did not even do. And no body whistled at her, for sure.

The department leadership feels unapproachable and dismissive of student concerns. The overall atmosphere is intimidating and discouraging. Because of all this, I’ve genuinely struggled to focus on my studies.

Another concern is financial. These projects require time, travel, and personal expenses. Many of us receive limited financial support from home, and it feels unfair to spend money and time on work that doesn’t even acknowledge our contribution properly.

I want to formally complain about the irregularities in how these projects are being conducted. But I am scared of retaliation, especially since internal marks are involved.

Can someone guide me on:

1. Whom to approach safely?

2. Whether this qualifies as academic exploitation or misconduct?

3. How to protect myself from retaliation?

I want to pass my exams without getting into limelight as I don't have any other past ill records. Perfect scores, perfect attendance, perfect student. But this has been intolerable for me since the past couple of weeks.

Also college is JNMC raipur.