Introduction
Ragging means a traditional and systematical human rights abuse and harassment practiced
by seniors upon freshers.
It was commenced early as 7th or 8th century A.D’s in Greek culture but now it is practiced
mainly in South Asian countries. The main aim of this concept is to develop the team spirit
between sport communities in Greek but now it has become a brutal legacy in present
context. Generally there are several forms of ragging: mainly physical torture, sexual
harassment, metal torture such as kneeling, naked, drinking wine, smoking etc. frankly it
seems as violation of fundamental rights.as per to the section 126 of the constitution of Sri
Lanka, any citizen can file a petition before the Supreme Court for fundamental rights
violation. Furthermore an act was passed by Sri Lankan parliament in 1998. (Prohibition of
ragging and other forms of violence in educational institutions, Act No 20 of 1998)
Effects of ragging in the society
Initially ragging was commenced with a good will, but it has become a major challenge to the
present society.
Under the light of the favorable side of ragging, it teaches us many things. Seniors take
introduction of juniors which mainly help the newcomers to manage the pressure among the
large number of students and feel comfortable. Ragging helps the fresher to feel smart; makes
them independent and strengthens them to face all challenges bravely. Juniors could learn
how to respect seniors and feelings of others. Due to ragging freshers build a healthy bond
among them to share their problems; by and by it helps to form a unity. Generally seniors
take ragging as a tool to attach with juniors and maintain a good relationship.
Mild ragging adds a required charm to university life and makes it more exciting. The
ragging process gives the juniors a great opportunity to recognize their own talents.
In other hand expressly ragging is a biggest fundamental right violating activity. It puts the
standard of the institute and its educational system in a serious question. It openly shows that
the person who engages in ragging is a mentally disordered.
The victims of ragging suffer in high level of depression, solitude/ loneliness. In some extend
victim commits suicide due to the mental pressure and desperation. There will be a lifelong
tension and fear in every mind of the victims. The total environment of the institute and the
atmosphere of study certainly will be vanished.
Why ragging should be banned?
This was quite evidential in this context in which ragging has developed gradually from
asking fresher to sing a song to death.
Following are some of the major incidents which have remained to oppress memories of Sri
Lankans.
In 1975, the first ragging related death was happened in University of Peradeniya. The
victim was 22 years old female, Rupa Ratneseeli.
In 1997, 21 years old, S.Varapragash, an Engineering student of University of
Peradeniya, died from a kidney failure as a result of severe ragging by the seniors.
A first year female student, University of Peradeniya, committed suicide in 1997
following a ragging.
In 1997,Kelum Thushara Wijethunge, a first year student of Hardy technical institute
in Ampara, died from a kidney failure as he was forced to do heavy exercise and to
drink outrageous amount of liquor.
After this sequence of ragging related incidents the prohibition of ragging act was passed in
1998.
The Prohibition of Ragging; Act No 20 of 1998
The foremost aspiration of this act: AN ACT TO ELIMINATE RAGGING AND OTHER
FORMS OF VIOLENCE AND CRUEL, INHUMAN AND DEGRADING TREATMENT
FROM EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
According to this act followings are certain punishments prescribed for ragging related
activities.
1. If any person engages in ragging within or outside of the university premises will be
charged with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not exceeding 2 years and may also
be charged with compensation.
2. If ragging is related to sexual harassments punishment is increased to 10 years
imprisonment with or without compensation. Generally this offence is non-bailable.
3. For criminal intimidation rigorous imprisonment for not more than 5 years.
4. Any person who commits any act with the personal liberty and freedom of movement
is restrained unlawfully will be guilty of an offence under this act and charged for a
rigorous punishment for a term not exceeding 7 years.
5. If any person committed, wrongful restraint or unlawful confinement, which obstructs
any student to proceed in any direction, restricts from proceeding beyond certain
limits will be charged with a same punishment of rigorous imprisonment not
exceeding 7 years.
6. If any person unlawfully occupy property by force which is under the management of
the educational institutes will be found guilty and liable to imprisonment for a term of
10 years or a fine of Rs.10 000/= or with both.
7. A person who causes to damage any property will be liable to a imprisonment not
exceeding 20 years and a fine of Rs.5000 /= or 3 times the amount of the loss caused
to the property.
8. If a person is convicted of an offence can be punished as to the gravity of the offence
A. Where the person convicted is a student will be expelled from the institute.
B. Where the person convicted as a staff will be dismissed.
If any person commits an offence prescribed under subsection 2 of section 2 or section 4
under this act shall not be released in bail except by the judge under the Bail Act.
Despite the intent of the legislation was to eliminate ragging from the educational institutes
still we can witness the execution of ragging in higher educational institutes .
In 2002, Samantha Vithaanage, a third year Management student at University of Sri
Jayawardenapura who started an anti-ragging campaign, was killed while at a ragging
related meeting.
This still remains as a backlash in our nostalgia.
In 2006, Chandima Wijebandara, the Vice chancellor of University of Sri
Jayawardenapura resigned from his post as the students failed to support him in order
to eliminate ragging in universities.
In 2011, a female student from Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, University
of Ruhunu, was semi-paralyzed in one limb because of ragging.
In 2014, the death of D.K.Nishantha from University of Peradeniya and in 2015, the
death of a girl from Sabragamuwa University was reported as the consequence of
ragging.
In 2017, fifteen second year students from Agriculture Faculty of Peradeniya
University were arrested for taking group of students to be ragged and first year
students were hospitalized due to ragging.
Recently, on August of 2019, at university of Rugunu,19 senior students including
president of student’s union were arrested for sexual harassment.
The things can be taken further
The former minister of Higher Education, Rauff Hakeem stated that, 1987 undergraduates
had abandoned their education in 2018 due to ragging and ragging related activities. It
destroys the whole life of the students who had abandoned and who were the victims.
Even though there are many ways to complain to overcome such these activities given in the
educational institutes, juniors fear to complain against seniors as they could be revenged like
being denied to access libraries, canteens and other vital facilities. But it is very essential to
eradicate such these non-disciplinary acts.
The Government can take some effective steps to conquer these ragging related activities.
1. Enlightening students about the violation of human rights by including anti ragging
lessons at school level.
2. Every head of the institute must give a clear warning about ragging and the
punishments before commencing a new session.
3. Introducing new methods as alternatives for ragging to interact seniors with juniors
such as freshers parties, cultural events, social gatherings, community works,
interactive games and short trips.
4. Spreading awareness by distributing printed materials as notices and publishing
banners and posters within and outside of the university premises.
5. Every educational institute should form an anti-ragging community with including
students, staffs, police and well-wishers from the society with the help of the
government.
6. Hostels should be under supervision of wardens.
7. Other boarding houses where students are living should be registered prevalently
under the local authority.
Conclusion
By the end of this evolution, we as a group believe that ragging cannot be eliminated from the
higher educational institutes by molding it as criminal offence. It is evidential that ragging is
a problem which has psychological core and social ignorance. We can’t attain a rapid revival
from ragging because it is being practiced conventionally up to the minute.
We must perceive that ragging cannot be eliminated unless the society itself criticizes it to be
abolished.
Now we stand in need of distinct endeavor to give adequate awareness to the Lankans in
order to curb this social menace. If not the penalties for the doers in anti-ragging act will be
remain only as black letters and won’t achieve its goal in practice.
