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Building a vision for stopping ragging altogether involves building a unified front across students, college administration and the justice system. This is because each of these entities plays a role in the perpetuation of this disgraceful practice in society year-in and year-out. Colleges
The Supreme Court judgment against ragging in 2001 was a landmark in the fight against ragging. And yet the practice of ragging continues unabated. Part of the reason is the lack of enforcement by colleges. For example, the admissions prospectus, must clearly mention that ragging is banned in the institution and any one indulging in ragging is to be punished appropriately – including expulsion, suspension or fine with a public apology. Punishment could also take the shape of: withholding scholarships, results of exams, or expulsion from the hostel or mess. A few colleges like Ferguson College and IIT Bombay have successfully stopped ragging based on a united effort across students, faculty and authorities alike. They have shown what is possible through an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual trust. Administration Authorities need to realize that outright denial or blaming freshers for incidents will simply perpetuate ragging. Instead, they need to build a coalition with students, police and hostel wardens to actively monitor for violent acts. Anti-ragging movements should also be initiated by the institutions right from the time of advertisement for admissions. Hostels Hostels provide a closed circuit environment where many of the worst cases occur, behind closed doors and late at night. Colleges have to control brutal ragging in hostels through spot checks and hostel wardens, who have the full power of the justice system at their disposal. Surprise checks in hostels at odd hours with strict punishment to the guilty poses an efficient solution to the problem. Students A few organizations have begun to organize from within colleges to combat this raging problem. One of the first is CURE (www.noragging.com), a nonprofit actively engaged the media, students and grassroots professionals to change the face of ragging within society. Seniors need to be empowered and can take charge of the situation to act as role models, not ruffians. The solution, ultimately, rests with the free will of students everywhere. YOU, the Student, have a choice to make today. Either you can be part of the Solution, or you can be part of the Problem. Which choice would you rather make? Make the Right Choice today. Say No to Ragging! by Rajiv Ram
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