Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Ragging abuse of human rights: seminar

VISAKHAPATNAM: Ragging in any form is an abuse of human rights and sometimes drives the victims to suicide. The recent judgment of the Supreme Court provides for severe punishment, which can extend up to life imprisonment, of the perpetrators of the crime, said the speakers at a seminar on ‘Anti-Ragging’ organised at the Visakha Institute of Technology and Science at Sontyam near here on Wednesday.

Former Chairman of Acharya Nagarjuna University V. Balmohan Das, who participated as chief guest, said it was unfortunate that some students and even faculty members were supporting ragging on the plea that it was needed to make juniors overcome their inhibitions. Ragging in any form was a human rights abuse and provides an opportunity to seniors to exploit their juniors and the former derive sadistic pleasure out of it. The victims suffer from stress, trauma and post-trauma disorders and could finally end up committing suicide.

Police Commissioner N. Sambasiva Rao said the punishment for ragging could extend from simple imprisonment of six months to life imprisonment. The Supreme Court had ruled early this month that the recommendations of Dr. Raghavan Committee would have to be complied by all educational institutions all over the country. The committee had suggested setting up of Anti-Ragging Squad and Anti-Ragging Committees in all educational institutions.

He warned the students against indulging even in the mildest form of ragging as complaint by a junior could land them in jail. Once a person was convicted under the Act, he or she wouldn’t be admitted into any educational institution in the country. The police would also go strictly go by the law and there could be no excuse for the perpetrators of the crime.

Mr. Sambasiva Rao advised the students to utilise their spare time in productive activities like developing communication skills.

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