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The recent arrest of five nursing students in Kottayam, Kerala, has brought to light a horrific case of ragging that involved prolonged physical and psychological abuse. The accused, all senior students at a government nursing college, subjected their juniors to a two-month ordeal of violence and intimidation, starting in November 2024 and continuing until February 2025. The details, as reported by the victims to the police, paint a disturbing picture of systematic cruelty and a culture of impunity within the institution. The victims, first-year students, initially faced demands for money through GPay, a common method of digital payment in India. This seemingly minor initial demand quickly escalated into a pattern of increasingly violent acts.
The severity of the ragging escalated dramatically. One of the most disturbing incidents involved the forced confinement and torture of a student. The accused allegedly stormed into the victim's room, restrained him with cloth, poured lotion over his body, and inflicted wounds using a sharp weapon. The heinous act was further compounded by the fact that another student was allegedly forced to film the event, suggesting a level of premeditation and calculated cruelty. The use of dumbbells to injure the private parts of another victim reveals a sadistic intent to inflict maximum pain and humiliation. This highlights a complete disregard for human dignity and a culture that fosters violence rather than respect among students.
The psychological impact of such acts is equally devastating. The victims reported feeling too afraid to report the incidents to their families or authorities, demonstrating the power dynamics at play and the fear instilled by the perpetrators. The prolonged nature of the abuse, lasting for several months, indicates a pattern of behaviour, and raises questions about the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures within the college. The silence surrounding the abuse highlights a potential institutional failure to address such issues proactively. The incident underscores the need for a comprehensive review of anti-ragging policies in educational institutions, along with stricter enforcement and improved mechanisms for reporting and addressing such cases.
The incident shines a harsh light on the pervasive issue of ragging in educational institutions across India. While many institutions boast policies against ragging, their implementation often falls short. This case highlights the failure of such policies to deter perpetrators and adequately protect vulnerable students. The culture of silence surrounding ragging, where victims fear reprisal for reporting incidents, necessitates a multi-pronged approach. This includes raising awareness about the illegality and damaging consequences of ragging, establishing confidential reporting mechanisms, and ensuring swift and severe punishment for perpetrators. The police investigation and subsequent arrests in this case represent a step towards accountability, but it also underscores the need for systemic change within educational institutions to prevent future occurrences.
Beyond the legal ramifications, this incident necessitates a thorough examination of the college's culture and environment. The question of how such a pattern of abuse could continue for months without detection or intervention is crucial. An internal review should be conducted to identify gaps in the existing system, assess the effectiveness of current anti-ragging initiatives, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This review should involve not just administrative bodies but also the students themselves, to create a more open and transparent environment where instances of ragging can be reported without fear of reprisal. The long-term goal should be the creation of a campus climate characterized by respect, empathy, and a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.
Source: Ragging horror from Kerala: Students complain of being stripped, tortured through the night