The horror of hostel ragging that Jadavpur University has failed to end, year after year
Ragging is a form of abuse, harassment, and bullying that is prevalent in many educational institutions in India. It involves seniors or former students forcing juniors or freshers to perform humiliating or dangerous tasks, often under the pretext of initiation or bonding. Ragging can have severe physical, psychological, and emotional consequences for the victims, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, injury, and even suicide.
One of the most shocking cases of ragging in recent times is the death of Swapnadip Kundu, a first-year student of Bengali Honours at Jadavpur University (JU) in Kolkata. Swapnadip died on August 10, 2023, after falling from the third floor balcony of the main hostel building around midnight. He was allegedly ragged and bullied by some senior boarders of the hostel, who stripped him naked and forced him to jump from the balcony. Swapnadip's last words before his death were "I am not gay", as he tried to defend his sexual orientation from the taunts of his tormentors.
Swapnadip's tragic death has sparked outrage and protests among the students and faculty of JU, as well as the general public. Many have demanded justice for Swapnadip and strict action against the culprits. The West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who is also the chancellor of JU, visited the hostel and assured Swapnadip's father of stern action against those responsible for his son's death. He also decided to form a high-level committee headed by a former chief justice and present interim VC of a university to study the issues and come up with suggestions to end the menace of ragging on campuses. He also urged authorities to visit the hostel premises and follow UGC guidelines to ensure the protection of freshers.
However, Swapnadip's case is not an isolated incident. Ragging has been a persistent problem at JU for years, despite several complaints and measures taken by the authorities. Many students have shared their harrowing experiences of ragging at JU hostels, where they were subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, humiliation, and threats by their seniors or former students. Some of them had to leave the hostel or even drop out of the university due to the trauma they faced.
One such student is Subhajit Ghosh, a post graduate final year student in Bangla, who joined JU in 2019. Subhajit recounted how he was tortured by his seniors in the hostel for two years, who made him do menial jobs for them, such as fetching food and alcohol at odd hours. He was also kicked out of his room one night and shifted to a guest room by the hostel authorities after he complained about his ordeal. He was threatened by a new set of seniors for filing complaints and had to shift between mess accommodations provided by some empathetic seniors. He was finally moved to another hostel in 2022, which ended his trauma.
Subhajit's and Swapnadip's stories are just two examples of the horror of hostel ragging that JU has failed to end, year after year. Ragging is not only a violation of human rights and dignity, but also a serious crime that can lead to fatal consequences. It is high time that JU and other educational institutions take effective steps to eradicate this evil practice from their campuses and ensure a safe and conducive environment for learning and growth for all students.
Source:
(1) Ragging | The horror of hostel ragging that Jadavpur University has .... https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/the-horror-of-hostel-ragging-that-jadavpur-university-has-failed-to-end-year-after-year/cid/1958512.
(2) Jadavpur University Student's Death: Ex-Student Held, Panel Formed To Probe Ragging At Hostels. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/jadavpur-university-student-s-death-ex-student-held-panel-formed-to-probe-ragging-at-hostels-news-310145.
(3) 'Ragging' claims life in Jadavpur University: He asked mother to take him home. Next day, he was dead. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/asked-mother-to-take-him-home-ragging-claims-life-in-jadavpur-university/articleshow/102623021.cms.
(4) Jadavpur University Student Death: Bengal Governor Forms Panel To End .... https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jadavpur-university-student-death-bengal-governor-forms-panel-to-end-ragging-on-campuses-4291583.
FAQ's
Is there ragging in Jadavpur University?
The death last Wednesday of a student of Jadavpur University (JU) due to alleged ragging has evoked a late but strong reaction now from the city of Kolkata, which is usually quick to take to the streets on issues it is angry about.
क्या जादवपुर यूनिवर्सिटी में रैगिंग होती है?
कथित रैगिंग के कारण पिछले बुधवार को जादवपुर विश्वविद्यालय (जेयू) के एक छात्र की मौत पर कोलकाता शहर में देर से ही सही, लेकिन कड़ी प्रतिक्रिया हुई है, जो आमतौर पर उन मुद्दों पर सड़कों पर उतर आता है, जिन पर गुस्सा होता है।
What is ragging in hostel?
Any disorderly conduct in any manner, whether it is by verbal/written communication or by any act which has the effect of teasing, handling with rudeness to any student, falls under ragging. This kind of interaction can be brutal, barbaric and anti-social which has to be treated strictly under the law.
What are the types of ragging in college?
Any act of physical abuse including all variants of it: sexual abuse, homosexual assaults, stripping, forcing obscene and lewd acts, gestures, causing bodily harm or any other danger to health or person can be put in the category of ragging with criminal dimensions.
