Mostly, boys bear brunt of college ragging
According to University Grants Commission’s anti-ragging helpline, more boys get ragged compared to girls
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, July 27, 2013
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, July 27, 2013
http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2013072720130727025131699df506b06/Mostly-boys-bear-brunt-of-college-ragging.html
A GNLU student’s plea to the University Grants Commission’s anti-ragging helpline for assistance has brought the focus back on the menace of ragging. According to the data released by UGC helpline, more boys fall victim to ragging compared to girls. Since June 2009, the helpline has received 1,908 complaints of ragging of which 1,732 were from boys.
From Gujarat, UGC helpline has received 20 complaints of ragging in last four years of which 16 are from boys. An UGC official, on condition of anonymity said, “Most of the complaints that we receive are regarding ragging in college hostels. This year, we have so far received 176 complaints.
The data comprises complaints we receive on the helpline. They don’t include any complaints sent directly to the UGC anti-ragging cell. The number might look small, but that is because not many students are willing to come forward and register complaints.
A GNLU student’s plea to the University Grants Commission’s anti-ragging helpline for assistance has brought the focus back on the menace of ragging. According to the data released by UGC helpline, more boys fall victim to ragging compared to girls. Since June 2009, the helpline has received 1,908 complaints of ragging of which 1,732 were from boys.
From Gujarat, UGC helpline has received 20 complaints of ragging in last four years of which 16 are from boys. An UGC official, on condition of anonymity said, “Most of the complaints that we receive are regarding ragging in college hostels. This year, we have so far received 176 complaints.
The data comprises complaints we receive on the helpline. They don’t include any complaints sent directly to the UGC anti-ragging cell. The number might look small, but that is because not many students are willing to come forward and register complaints.
Moreover, with anti-ragging bodies at college and university-level, the cases get sorted out there itself.” This year, so far UGC has received six complaints of ragging from the state of which three are from boys. Explaining why boys are more prone to get ragged, LD College of Engineering Principal and Chairman of GTU antiragging committee M N Patel said, “It is true that boys get ragged frequently compared to girls.
Mostly, girls are taught to be cautious and are disciplined compared to boys who are more aggressive. Ragging is a form of aggression where you force your peer to submit to your wishes. Moreover, I have noticed that it is boys who have lived away from their home and parents who initiate ragging and other mischief.”
However, Patel stressed that the onus of reporting such incidents is on students. “If students are being harassed, they should immediately approach the anti-ragging body in their college,” he said. Nirma University’s co-ordinator of anti-ragging committee Parin Shah claimed that the university has a very elaborate set up to curb ragging.
“We have an anti-ragging squad which patrols the canteens and hostel corridors in the night. We also have a mentoring cell where seniors help juniors get accustomed to the college. They guide the junior students on the ins and outs of the college and hostel,” Shah said.
He further added that the reason boys get ragged more is because they are not vocal about the harassment. Boys don’t report such incidents unless it becomes unbearable. They don’t like being considered victims. Hence such incidents don’t get reported.”
So far, UGC has received complaints from students of MP Shah Government Medical College in Jamnagar, GNLU, NID, Anand Law College, Baroda Medical College, Parul Pharmacy College, M S University of Baroda and Narsinh Patel Dental College.
NID RAGGING SAGA
On June 23, 2013, a female student of NID had written to the UGC’s antiragging cell complaining of ill-treatment by seniors who made her run around a field and forced her to stay back in college till late. Following the complaint, a committee was formed to investigate the allegation. Subsequently, the matter was resolved after the victim claimed the culprits had apologised to her.
