Anti-ragging law should be amended
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The High Court has recommended that the state's anti-ragging law be amended in light of the widespread public concern over violent behaviour among students. The court's finding that the cruelty of ragging is a matter of public concern is one that is universally accepted. In the wake of the spate of violence in educational institutions, the decision of a special bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran that the necessary amendments should be made to the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998 and that effective and comprehensive rules should be formulated. The observation that the failure to enact laws in accordance with the 1998 rules is an obstacle to effectively controlling ragging sheds light on the shortcomings of the administrative system. Therefore, the court has asked the government to constitute a task force before March 19, taking into account the 2009 UGC guidelines, and submit the necessary draft guidelines for its development. The district and state-level monitoring committees and anti-ragging committees have also been asked to submit five-year activity reports.
There is not much point in simply condemning the new generation by stating that in the digital age, youngsters who are immersed in web series, movies, and games are becoming addicted to violence, their surroundings incite aggression, and the prevalence of pornography is causing deep conflicts among adolescents. The High Court's doubts about the effectiveness of anti-ragging committees are clear evidence that the lax approach of the administration plays a major role in not preventing attacks and ragging in schools. How many heads must bow in shame when the court stated that even after 25 years, effective laws have not been made to implement the 1998 Ragging Prohibition Act? Through the ragging verdict, the High Court is once again emphasizing that we have to pay a heavy price for inaction in the implementation of the law. The High Court yesterday gave an answer to the question of whether our legal procedures and developments in schools are helping to curb and eliminate the growing aggressive tendencies among children, saying that they are not enough. It is undeniable that teachers and political organizations in schools play a crucial role in the ragging committees and surveillance cells becoming inactive. It is no secret that teachers and organizational leaders who are supposed to educate children are becoming supporters of the offenders and protectors of the culprits.
It is reported that in Kottayam Govt. Nursing College, which became infamous for ragging last month, similar ragging took place in 2023 as well. When the principal and teachers tried to stop it and take action against the culprits, it was the organizational leaders affiliated to the ruling party who directly opposed it, threatened the principal, and insulted the teachers. The Director of Medical Education has issued a notice to them. One can only guess what the impact of that notice will be in the current political climate. At a time when ragging and student violence are being discussed with such importance, not even a solemn annual memorial service was held at the Wayanad Pookode Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for the student Sidharthan, who was found hanging after being a victim of ragging. The answer, even if we look for the reasons, is that the vicious cycle of power is entrenched in the institution to protect juvenile delinquents. Without breaking that cycle, it is impossible to put an end to the ragging and the corruption in institutions. It is undeniable that adults are not succeeding in introducing the new generation to the vast world of cooperation and mutual respect. We are having serious lapses in imparting the true meaning of discipline and self-control. Freedom does not mean an indisciplined life, but it is the opportunity to discover the beauty of life and to be a social being, with rights, responsibilities, sympathy and care. Therefore, the Action Committee, which is being formed as per the High Court's recommendations, must ensure that institutions which are as much a part of social life as academic courses, do not become breeding grounds for ragging. May the provisions of the anti-ragging law be instrumental for that.
