QUEEN’S ROAD: Even though most college websites and prospectuses mention the existence of anti-ragging squads, students don’t know whom to turn to in case of an incident.
Ragging, a term referring to harassment of junior students by seniors, is prohibited both on and off campus. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notice, under directions from the Supreme Court, that every higher education institution must set up an anti-ragging committee, nominated and led by the head of the institution, and a squad. And while applicants and guardians sign an undertaking against ragging, most students City Express spoke to were unaware of the existence of anti-ragging squads.
Surya, a student of KLE College, Rajajinagar, doesn’t know whether the institute has an anti-ragging mechanism in place. “I have not heard of an anti-ragging squad in our college. This is the first time I’m hearing of the term,” he said.
Engineering student Megha is unsure if Sambhram Institute of Technology, Vidyaranyapura, has set up a squad. “But I have seen boards on our campus that say ragging is a punishable offence,” she said. Shweta, pursuing B Com (final year) at Vidyavardhaka Sangha First Grade College for Women in Basaveshwaranagar, said she hadn’t noticed any anti-ragging notices.
Raghav, who studies at Seshadripuram Commerce College, Magadi Road, has heard of an anti-ragging squad, but seen no signs of it. “I guess only colleges in Delhi and Kolkata have fully operational ones,” he told City Express.
Akash, a student of MES Vidyasagar College, Rajajinagar, said his campus did not have one. “There’s a squad in our main college in Malleswaram. Last year, student council members went from class to class to tell us about it,” he recalled.
So students who want to seek help against ragging are expected to go to the main college, over 3 km from where they study.
At NMKRV College for Women in Jayanagar, there’s a board outside saying that a anti-ragging committee exists, said a final year BA student. “We’ve even been given a helpline number.” But Bhavana hasn’t taken it down, and she doesn’t know whom to approach in case she has a complaint.
(All names have been changed to protect identities)
Need help?
Contact the National
Anti-Ragging Helpline
Phone: 1800-180-5522
Email: helpline@antiragging.in
