The tragic death of an 18-year-old student at Jadavpur University after alleged ragging has sparked outrage. According to reports, the first-year student was paraded naked in his hostel by seniors as part of "ragging", an outdated initiation rite. His body was found hanging in the hostel a few days later.
While the exact cause of death is still unknown, many suspect ragging and bullying played a role. Ragging - the practice of harassing newcomers - is notoriously prevalent in Indian colleges and hostels. Often taking extreme and inhumane forms like stripping, beating or sexual abuse, ragging has been normalized to such an extent that an 18-year-old lost his life.
Students at Jadavpur University have long protested against ragging and the administration's failure to curb it. They claim their complaints about extreme ragging in hostels were ignored.
This tragic incident should be a wake-up call to address ragging and make campuses safe spaces for learning once again. The real question is whether that wake-up call will be answered.
CCTV Surveillance in Universities: Necessary or an Invasion of Privacy?
At this point surveillance really necessary but the student of JU feels that their privacy line will be crossed by this. It’s really so? Are they entered the University in this terms and condition that Authority should ask student what to do for security measures.
Yes absolutely authority can ask student for better ideas, but opposing CCTV surveillance in the name of moral policing not acceptable.
JU Student Protests: Seeking Justice or Promoting Anarchy?
The protests at Jadavpur University have brought the issue of ragging and student politics under the spotlight. On one hand, the students are seeking justice for the death of a first-year student. On the other, their protest methods seem to promote anarchy and disrupt the functioning of the university.
Some argue the students' protests reflect a growing culture of unrest and anarchy in universities that undermines authority.
The students’ methods of protest raise questions. There are arguments on both sides. The students want justice and security, but their unlawful protests promote chaos and disruption.
The university must address the root issues - curb ragging, ensure student safety, and take strict action against perpetrators. At the same time, students must express dissent lawfully and peacefully without undermining the functioning of the university. Both sides need to come together in good faith to resolve these issues and ensure Jadavpur University remains a place of learning, not anarchy.
