Much has been said and argued about the ragging issue on college campuses and we have come across umpteen cases of suicides. In the wake of that, the Supreme Court has finally made ragging punishable by law. Educational institutions have been ordered to file FIRs against the defaulting students.
Ragging in any form is a cognizable and non-bailable criminal offence. Is this a very harsh step curbing a sense of freedom which is synonymous with college life? Or, is it justifiable keeping in mind the various students who have pushed themselves over the edge as they were unable to bear the trauma?
Mr Anil Pinto, professor, Christ College agrees, “I do not think it is harsh. Ragging is a clear violation of human rights. The biggest culprits are the institutions because managemental control is extremely important in such sensitive situations. Interestingly, ragging was banned ten years ago. This is a perfectly correct step and there is nothing extreme about it”.

What is ragging?
The definition of ragging has evolved over the ages and has changed for the worse. Earlier, it was a good way of bonding but now it is risky, to a fatal extent. If ragging is closely monitored by the authorities, it can be an enjoyable experience.
However, it is impossible to keep a close check on students in the present scenario.
On the other hand some students feel differently and opine that the move is too strong. “It should not be a blanket ban. Some leeway should be given because ragging provides a platform for interaction between seniors and juniors. Ragging is not as bad as it is portrayed.”, feels Ajay Kamath, engineering student.
Most students feel that ragging is profound in professional colleges as a result of extreme tension and academic pressure. It is more so in hostels and residential institutions. Ms Ranjita, Professor, Jyoti Nivas College says, “I empathize with the students who feel that the move is too strong but they forget that ragging can go a step too far which could lead to serious consequences.
“Ragging is acceptable as long as it is not personal, abusive and sexual. Students generally do not know when to draw the line, and so to avoid mishaps, the government has taken the right step”.
This is a very debatable issue as both the teaching and student fraternities have opposing opinions.
People feel it is difficult to pass a clear cut judgement and the limits of ragging should be defined. If an FIR is filed against any student, adequate executive action should be followed up for the law to have an indelible effect. This will ensure that the ban is taken seriously.  This inhibits the margin of interaction and would intimidate seniors to make normal conversation with their juniors since a framework has not been provided by the Supreme Court.
Fr Daniel Fernandes, Principal, St. Josephs College of Commerce comments, “I am very happy about it. As soon as admissions are over, we are putting up strict notices. We even have two full time counsellors on campus and we are printing the pre-requisites on the prospectus as well”. This takes the decree to another level altogether as managements are ardently working on removing this malaise from campuses.
Mrs Swarnalatha Iyer, psychologist, says,”The ban is justified as the government cannot make different laws for different people. However, only a handful of miscreants cause all the trouble and that leads to generalization.
There is no scope for even harmless fun. More so, professional colleges do not have any other fora for interaction except ragging, hence it is more severe”. So, those who are gearing up for another milestone in your lives, you can take it easy as you are not going to have any seniors breathing down your neck!