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The transition from college to university is an important step in a student's life. After taking very competitive admission tests, one secures a seat in a university that offers them the opportunity to engage in scholarly pursuits. But unfortunately, the enthusiasm of stepping into this new life often turns into disappointment. The reason is the undesirable culture called ragging.
When a new batch of students enters a university campus, some senior students start making fun of them in the name of ragging. Instead of welcoming them cordially, the seniors start teaching them the so-called manners of the university, which is often called 'guest room culture' or ragging. The seniors forcibly make the new students do embarrassing acts like singing and dancing or standing for hours. Sometimes, they are made to stay whole night outside their dormitory as punishment. This is humiliating and disturbing for the new students. It can lead to serious consequences including mental trauma, depression and even suicide. It often leads to leaving of the university by victim students.
Thankfully, the ministry of education has adopted a policy in this regard, styled, 'Policy for the Prevention of Bullying and Ragging in Educational Institutions 2023,' a few months ago. The move should have come earlier. Even so, it is better late than never. Recently, the High Court has also ordered the authorities concerned to send the policy to all the educational institutions of the country within three months.
Despite these initiatives, incidents of ragging in our universities and their affiliated colleges are increasing day by day. Two female students of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College in Barishal (SBMC) have allegedly fallen victim to ragging recently. The two students were called to a room in the college dormitory and were harassed till the late hours in the morning of Thursday (August 24). They were kept standing for long hours and subjected to verbal abuse and given threats. Worse, their phones were forcibly examined. Later, one of the students fell unconscious and was admitted to the emergency department of SBMC hospital, according to reports.
In Kushtia, five female students of Islamic University have recently been expelled on charge of ragging a fresher. In a similar kind of incident, nine students of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur have faced disciplinary action including expulsion.
It is reassuring that universities are taking action against those involved in ragging. But the practice still prevails on our university campuses. And there are many incidents that go unreported. So, it is high time the education administrators and student bodies came together to find ways to end this inhuman practice of ragging that is psychologically damaging for freshers.
India has introduced strict anti-ragging laws. It is a punishable offence there. The country has also launched an anti-ragging helpline for the possible victims. Sri Lanka made a law prohibiting ragging in educational institutions. These are examples that can be emulated here. True, senior students may feel that they were once ragged and so they have a right to rag their juniors. This is how the cycle of ragging goes on. A new generation of students should stand against this culture and say 'no' to ragging in all forms.