Change in attitude necessary for controlling ragging

Bhopal, Feb 12 (UNI) Apart from bringing a change in attitude, proper implementation of certain measures is required to control incidents of ragging in higher educational institutes in the country.

This view came out during a discussion between seven-member central ragging committee, which is visiting Madhya Pradesh, with student unions and directors of various educational institutes.

The meeting was chaired by former CBI chairman R K Raghvan.

Mr Raghvan told reporters here that several states had anti-ragging laws. However, it had been observed that these laws were not implemented due to negligence, political pressure or other reasons.

Various suggestions such as constituting anti-ragging committee, appointment of trained warden in hostels and providing ragging witnesses government protection came up during the meeting.

He said the committee believed that ragging could not be completely prevented but such incidents could be reduced with a change in the attitude of people besides laws.

He said ragging was more prominent in technical educational institutes and medical and engineering colleges as compared to other educational institutes. The main reason behind was more hostels in these institutes.

Mr Raghvan said girls faced less ragging situations as compared to boys.

The committee has completed tour of four states -- Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh -- so far. Now it will visit, Rajasthan, Kerala and other states.

Madhya Pradesh Principal Secretary (Higher Education) Bhagirath Prasad informed about the steps taken to control ragging. He said incidents of ragging had declined in the past two years in the state.

Mr Raghvan said the Supreme Court had provided four months' time to the committee to provide its suggestions to control ragging.

UNI