SAMBALPUR: Ragging is nothing new to the campus of Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) University of Technology at Burla. Authorities of the university, though, have been complacent in dealing with the issue. Even as they claim to be serious about the problem and are not allowing any indiscipline on the campus, things have been different at the ground level.
Last week, allegations of ragging in the university came to fore when some second year students left the hostels after they were subjected to ragging several times.
There are eight hostels in VSS University including three for girl students. Five other hostels are called ‘hall of residences’ and houses the boys. While the south hostel, known as hall of residence ‘Marichi’ houses the first year students, the remaining four hostels accommodate boys of all classes. Sources said the second year students were ragged by the seniors and their complaints to authorities concerned have failed to evoke any response.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Prof Sushanta Nayak whose kin left the hall of residence ‘Vashistha’, confirmed incidents of ragging. He said the second year students are being stubbed with cigarette butts, drenched with beer and forced hair-cut. Similar complaint has also been made by relatives of a student who resides in hall of residence ‘Angira’.
However, Dean of Welfare, Prashanta Nanda, refuted the allegation. “We have not received any formal complaint either from any student or parents. Unless we receive any complaint, it becomes difficult for us to initiate action,” said Nanda.
Like previous occasions, this time too, the accused students are likely to go scot-free. Sources said in a cover-up attempt, the students would be allowed to let go with minor punishment on the ground that the charges could not be established due to lack of evidence. At best, two students are likely to be asked to leave the hostels.
University officials said any decision in this regard would be finalised after Vice-Chancellor Bijay Nanda returns from an official tour.
In 2011, four students were suspended for one academic year for their involvement in ragging. The university authorities had also slapped a fine of `10,000 on two other students facing same charges. All the six students belonged to the fifth semester.
Sambit Mishra of Information and Technology branch, Kartikeswar Parida of Computer Science, Soumya Ranjan Jena and Chinmay Patra of the Civil branch were suspended for one year.
Ankur Adlakha of Electronics and P Prabin Kumar of Civil Engineering were slapped with the fine.
Sources said seven inmates of Atri Hall of Residence were allegedly ragged by some of their seniors on July 24, 2011.
Subsequently, the suspended students were asked to leave the hostel and university for one academic year and the two others to deposit the fine amount within a week.