Andhra University has earned the distinction of being a ragging free campus. Its track record has been good and any form of ragging will not be tolerated, said Vice-Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao.
He was addressing an awareness meeting on ragging and its implications, here on Wednesday, organised by the university administration at the Convocation Hall.
The Vice-Chancellor drove home the point that ragging in any form was a punishable offence and any student indulging in such an act will be debarred from the university.
“The student’s admission will be cancelled and he or she will not get admission in any other college,” Prof. Nageswara Rao said.
Panels to be formed
The Vice-Chancellor informed the gathering comprising students and faculty members that every department and hostel had been advised to form anti-ragging committees, comprising wardens, teachers and students, and the members had been told to monitor the situation.
“Action will be initiated even against the committee members if immediate action is not taken on a report and against those who are mute spectators to the evil. Keeping quiet and not reporting the incidents of ragging is also an offence,” he said.
Joint Commissioner of Police A.S. Khan urged students, to develop good human relations and use the time in doing something good for the university, society and the country.
Toll free number
Registrar Uma Maheswara Rao said the students could use the toll free number 1800 425 0891 to register their complaints.
He said Anti Ragging Squads had been formed and posters containing the numbers of the committee members displayed in every department and hostel.
Prof. Sumitra said a separate committee had been formed to handle sexual harassment cases and urged the students to approach her in case of complaints.
Principal of Science College C.V. Raman and Principal of Arts and Commerce College Gayatri Devi, said they could be approached any time, to lodge a complaint.
Punishable offence
Naga Sundaram from District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) said ragging was a punishable offence both under the rules framed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Act (1997).
According to him, ragging can be verbal, physical or emotional.
Even a wrong gesture can be treated as ragging, and it need not be in the institution premises alone. Ragging at a hostel outside the campus or even at bus stops can be treated as ragging, said Mr. Naga Sundaram.
He said institution heads or teachers not taking any appropriate action against ragging would also be treated as an offence and they can be prosecuted as per the Act.
