[IE] Colleges begin crackdown on ragging

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Pallavi Singh

New Delhi, June 1: In line with the Supreme Court’s interim guidelines issued to educational institutions on the basis of the RK Raghavan committee on ragging, most colleges have begun setting up anti-ragging committees.

In a meeting with college principals and the police last week, varsity authorities asked all 79 colleges under the university to take necessary steps to avoid any “unsolicited attempts” by seniors when sessions begin.

While the anti-ragging panels, consisting of teachers, students and hostel wardens, will conduct surprise checks at hostels, canteens and bus stops, colleges like Hansraj and Hindu are planning to install surveillance cameras on campus. A few colleges like Kirori Mal and Ramjas already have cameras on campus. “We will send a proposal to the UGC next week seeking funds,” said Kavita Sharma, Principal, Hindu College.

IP College for Women plans to take a step further. A small squad of teachers and students from the college’s proctorial committee plan to conduct surprise checks in paying guest accommodations.

“The committee will make a list of students living in PGs and visit their landlords. We will also ask them to report any ragging that may take place,” said Manasvini Yogi, publicity incharge at the college.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have put up posters discouraging ragging at campuses. The number of cops in plain clothes deployed outside colleges has also gone up. “There are 5 policemen deployed outside every college but they have been asked not to enter unless necessary,” said Prof SK Arora, Principal, Hansraj College. Colleges like Kirori Mal have also hired private security guards. Proctor Gurmeet Singh said the varsity ordinances on ragging and indiscipline will be strictly enforced.

“We have already written to all principals asking them to abide by SC and existing university guidelines on ragging. We’ll send another letter in the next few days as an advisory to reiterate what we have said before, which is to activate proctorial boards, volunteers from NCC and NSS and highlight university ordinances on ragging, among others,” Singh said.