Ragging has always been the issue across the nursing college of a Kottayam government-proven kind in which 5 third-year students had been terrorizing 6 first-year students who lived in worry and the police finally took a step against them revealing the scandal. The case, representing a tumultuous time, touched off the whole of the state and at the same time, it raised questions on the safety of the student community and the impeccable enforcement of the Anti-Ragging Law in India.The physical and mental harassment of the victims, including having clothes stripped off them, their numerous torture activities that the seniors have customarily arranged, such as lifting dumbbells, and stabbing with a geometry box compass happened continuously. The sad part of the story is that the seniors videotaped the horrors and then threaten the juniors with academic devastation if they talk about it.The mishap is like the other many that are common cases of ragging in the educational institutions that India has. Despite the fact that there are valid anti-ragging rules, still in the medical colleges, people do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. On the other hand, UGC anti-ragging cell received over 55 complaints of ragging from medical colleges distributed in India in November alone.The reasons behind ragging are intricate and multilayered. A whole lot of scholars think ragging is a necessary evil, and many times, misery games are not reported because new students are afraid of being socially isolated or punished. Outside forces like local politics and societal the “values” also authorize ragging.The Kerala authorities acted swiftly in this issue, registering a complaint under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act and detaining the five accused pupils. However, more work must be done to address the root causes of ragging and debunk the misconception that schools are secure and accepting environments for all students.“I want to start by thanking you for let me share this honest account of my own experience. I’m a Jadavpur University student, and I’m sharing my story anonymously because of concern for the reaction of my seniors and the university’s management. However, I feel driven to speak up in the hopes that my voice will add to the swelling chorus opposing this harmful practice.It’s an intentional effort to degrade, threaten, and crush someone’s spirit. I have witnessed friends and classmates being physically and psychologically abused, as well as being made to perform humiliating acts. While a group of seniors cornered me in the hostel hallway while I was a freshman in college, I was ragged for the first time. They made me sing songs, do push-ups, and do other embarrassing things I can’t even recall. Despite my extreme fear, I made an effort to follow their instructions in the hopes that I would at least be left alone. However, it didn’t. I felt like an animal in a circus, was humiliated, and became very fatigued as a result of the long hours of ragging.The hurt of ragging does not end with the prick of it. I am still haunted by the grievous thing that I went through, and these continues to be very worried that I would develop two disorders, anxiety and phobia, for which I have to receive medication.The most recent incident happened at the Kerala medical college, and it has made it very clear that ragging is alive and well in our institutions. I want to express my esteem for the victims who were brave enough to report the abuse, and I am optimistic that their bravery will be a source of inspiration for others who also want to speak out in the face of ragging.I stand up today because I do not want any other person to experience what I did. I do not wish to be identified, but I want my voice to be heard. I want to let people know that it is not just a harmless prank, and thus it is a serious abuse of human rights. I am optimistic that my narrative will inspire other tellers of tales to come out in the open, to become subjects of changes, and to come up with a kinder and safer world for all.” – Ragging Victim shared his experience with true-to-life.Dr. Ajay Saini who is a teacher at IIT Delhi reminded us that, “Ragging is the bread and butter of the system. It is the reason we don’t perish before a long time.” Schools and government are liable for preventing ragging. You can think of each college as an old oilfield if colleges everywhere fail to account for it. This is not an excuse breaking out from it.This instructive incident serves as a reminder to Indian educational institutions to put the welfare of their students first and eradicate the culture of ragging. This will entail putting in place strong anti-ragging guidelines, offering victims support and counseling, and fostering an inclusive and respectful school atmosphere. Therefore, it would be unthinkable for anyone to raise an argument that cannot be disputed. Successful outcomes could be determined if only the government, community leaders, outside companies, and schools themselves came together.Then and only then can we hope to build a campus that is safe and supportive so that every student can learn and succeed.
By Anusmita Bhatta
Reporting for True To Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.