Update Aug 16th 2023: As the nation engulfed in the celebration of 77th Independence Day, we at Campusutra have been closely following the investigation and the next steps taken at the horrendous incident of ragging at one of the prestigious institutions of our country Jadavpur University.
As of August 15th three individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident, including two second-year students, Deepshekhar Dutta and Manotosh Ghosh, and Sourabh Chowdhury, a former student who continued to reside in the hostel. Which again is like a deep rooted sore wound where often senior students are seen continuing in the hostels of many campuses and are often the main culprits behind ragging.
Meanwhile, we can also see a very bold post from the Chairman of UGC condemning any such act and terming “Ragging as a criminal Offence”
Ragging used to be a disturbing reality on the campuses. While many of us thought that it was a thing of the past, it has once again shown its ugly face.
Swapnadip Kundu (18), an undergraduate student in Jadavpur University, allegedly fell from a hostel building around 11.45 pm on Wednesday, 9th August 2023 not being able to meet up to the demands of his seniors’ sadistic pleasures of being a party to the ragging fiesta which surprisingly is still prevalent in one of the most sought after University of Kolkata and an institution of repute – Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
It seems University Grant Commission’s “ZERO TOLERANCE” and “ANTI RAGGING” policies couldn’t even deter the seniors of Jadavpur University to STOP from continuing this process of “familiarisation with new students” through such horrendous acts.
According to UGC ragging is a criminal offence and anti ragging regulations have been made mandatory in all institutes and universities across the nation.
Members from our own team are a part of anti ragging committees and other students welfare committees in multiple campuses and this incident question the existence and actions of those “Anti Ragging Committees & Squads” which supposedly is a mandatory part of all HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) to ensure compliance with the provisions of the regulations as well as the provisions of any law for the time being in force concerning ragging; investigate complaints and also, monitor and oversee the performance of the Anti-Ragging Squad in prevention of ragging in the Institution (whether inside or outside the campus).
Considering that Jadavpur University too will have an Anti ragging committee question arises what steps were taken to avoid any such incident inside the campus? According to a student of Jadavpur University, who did not want to be named, this is an annual affair. “Some students who may have undergone the same kind of torture in their first year carries forward the disgusting tradition to next year’s freshers, as an act of revenge and sadistic pleasure.”
Should Jadavpur University be barred from participating in all sorts of rankings including NIRF ?
Why a life against a degree from a reputable education Institution?
The unanswered repeated helpless phone calls made by Swapnadip’s classmates to Dr Rajat Ray, Dean of Students & Convener, Anti-Ragging Committee, Jadavpur University — logically raises a big question mark on the credibility of the “Anti Ragging Committee” itself.
What values and laurels it brings to an institution of such repute where “Ragging” is still prevalent?
Ragging is a punishable offence and the punishable provisions as laid down by UGC is as follows :
But what about the penalty towards the Institution – shouldn’t they too have a moral & social responsibility and ownership in this act ?
Does Jadavpur University still have the right to “wear the crowns” of NIRF rankings or rather be scrapped –as an act of penalty ?
Wish Swapnadip’s last call for help to his mother from his hostel was timely addressed. We urge the student community across the country to unite on this, take a stand against any sorts of ragging, and report to the authorities first if they come across any such incidents. If authorities do not take immediate action, do let us know, we shall take it up with the authorities and local administration. The trauma which Swapnadeep has gone through should not happen with anybody else. No parents should go through such pain ever again.
Let’s STOP RAGGING once and for all.
