dipchand bihari
post news network
Bhubaneswar, July 6: Ragging continues to be a ghostly presence in educational institutions of the city today despite the existence of laws preventing the practice. Recently the University Grants Commission announced certain additions to the definition of ragging which are aimed at safeguarding students also from abuse based on race and gender.
Against this backdrop, Orissa POST spoke with students from different educational institutions to find out whether they have experienced this form of harassment in colleges.
Sunayana Dash, a student of Utkal University, said: “Ragging is bad. I myself know many victims of the practice. But I have never been a victim of ragging so far. A friend who joined here was feeling insecure and was worried that seniors would rag her. But I believe regulations will prevent such actions from occurring.”
However, for Tinku, a college student spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Ragging is part of the culture here. Although I have not been ragged, juniors here are complaining that they are being teased by seniors in many ways. Nobody is bothered if minor incidents occur and so they are ignored. But ragging is ragging and should not be ignored. Norms should be followed strictly by every institution to wipe out ragging.”
Prakash Swain, a fresher at Rajdhani College, said he fears ragging. “I have requested college officials to ensure anti-ragging environment for all of us freshers. One of my seniors here has also assured me of the same. However, many seniors do not care about the rules and try to dominate over juniors in the form of ragging. I hope the campuses become ragging free.”
Another student, Sovan, said junior students were facing ragging despite the existence of laws since 2009. “My friend, a hosteler faced such an incident once. He was forced to obey many commands of seniors. It is quite common in colleges. I would say institutions should instruct officials and ensure that ragging is ended, be it in colleges or hostels,” he said.
It appears girl students, too, are indulging in ragging. “Girls are also ragging juniors and the recent amendments in norms won’t benefit unless they are implemented to the dot. Officials must keep their eye open to catch violators.”
