With another case of ragging being registered in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, freshmen around the country constantly feel the need for safer college surroundings. The practice that was started to help freshman get acquainted with their surroundings soon turned into a medium for seniors to express their authority.
Sumit Duseja, an IIT-BHU graduate said, “I was ragged by seniors countless times in hostel, on road and many other places. Nobody was afraid of being caught. But now, the situation is changing with the implementation of ragging laws.
However, he felt that the expulsion of students at IIT- Kanpur was a harsh step and it would result in fear rather than create a sense of justice.
Due to the implementation of ragging-related laws and other measures by college authorities, the registered cases of ragging have come down. Sarthak Goel, a computer science student at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha Univerisity (GGSIPU), Delhi, said, “There is an anti-ragging committee set up in our college which looks into the matters concerning ragging. However, the chances of such events are rare. But another area that requires attention is student politics. Death threats and physical violence are a common.”
However, Ab Asterix from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani believes, “The strict laws of ragging are being misused. In the incident at IIT-Kanpur, 22 students were expelled from the college without being given a chance to explain themselves. Seniors are apprehensive about interacting with their juniors because of which they do not have the opportunity to learn from their senior’s experience.”
Ragging has taken other subtle forms that are unobjectionable in the eyes of law. Radhika Rathore, a fresher staying at the hostel of Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Chandigarh said, “My fresher’s party theme was to dress up in alternative form of clothing — made from newspapers, unstitched fabric, and so on. It turned out to be an event filled with creativity. But somebody’s entertainment can be a cause of another’s discomfort. Therefore, it is the most important to ensure consent, in such cases.”
Similar trends have been observed in the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). Anas Qasim, a Fashion management student at NIFT, Delhi said, “I see no signs of ragging on campus. There is enough awareness in college through posters, pamphlets, anti-ragging committee and squads. However, it should not be overdone, otherwise these laws can be easily misused.”
