We have heard a few too many ghastly incidents revolving around ragging. There have been cases of fresher being beaten up, there have been cases of them being killed, and many committing suicide because of continued torture under the name of ragging.
The advent of ragging
Ragging was supposed to be a fun activity for seniors and juniors to bond. Juniors usually find a new college daunting and seniors were supposed to make this easier for them by interacting with them, having some fun, teasing them perhaps, and bonding with them. However, all this escalated rather quickly to blackmail, physical abuse, and torture. Today, students worry more about being ragged than failing exams.
Ragging rituals have become rampant in many colleges today ranging from making juniors do their projects and record work to forcing them to strip or abusing them obscenely. The whole idea of ragging has changed and even though many swear that it is all fun and friendly, only the participants know what truly happens.
What makes it worse
Out of fear, many juniors tend to keep their mouths shut and never reveal what’s happening. As a result, teachers and parents think all is fine. When they can’t take it anymore, these students take extreme measures including suicide attempts to end the anguish. If something that’s supposed to be fun can drive a person to suicide, it should definitely be stopped! Thankfully, today, there are many colleges that have actively participated in curbing ragging. Something that can have such serious repercussions must not be encouraged at any level. Cameras through the campus, anti-ragging cells, and counseling chambers are some of the steps that campuses are taking.
Eradicating ragging
When you select a college, we advise you to specifically check for anti-ragging steps that the college has taken in the past. It would be good to go ahead and ask them about this as well. A good college will definitely have positive answers for you. While ragging may not be curbed 100%, stringent measures can help students open up if they are being ragged. They should know that the faculty would support them and take measures accordingly.
It is highly important that campuses are ragging free so that students go to college without crippling fear and anxiety. Cases of students crying all night in helplessness and pain, having to face everyday with anguish are heartbreaking. Ragging can only be stopped when the campuses participate actively and discourage even the slightest act of bullying. Today, there is no such thing as harmless ragging. As aforementioned, no one knows when it can escalate to levels that are dangerous and out of hand.
Thus, this should be a part of your selection criteria.