Politics of ragging

So-called ragging, in universities is a form of torture and part of a sinister political strategy. There may be some undergrads who engage in ragging to derive some perverse pleasure, but some political elements use of the social and psychological weaknesses of both the perpetrators of raging and their victims to gain control over hapless new entrants. Thus, they psychologically condition students to follow their orders.

Ragging is a well-planned and organised campaign. Leaders, and deputy leaders are appointed well in advance of the arrival of freshers. It is made to appear like an opportunity for the freshers to get to know the seniors. Rag leaders are required to be members of the extreme radical political parties that sponsor the movement. Student unions are also controlled by this movement and often the student unions support those who carry out ragging when the latter face punishment. Recent incidents at Peradeniya University bear testimony to this fact.

Anti-ragging activists come from affluent family backgrounds. However, they are not allowed to use university canteens or libraries and associate with the victims of ragging. Recent incidents at the Peradeniya University occurred as a result of this devilish attitude of the perpetrators of ragging. Some second-year students, who were identified as anti-ragging activists, had dared to go to the canteen and they were assaulted mercilessly. When the offenders were arrested and held in custody the student union protested threatening the Dean to have them released.

Some university teachers are supportive of the perpetrators of ragging and they are supposed to be either sympathisers or members of the radical political parties. At an enquiry in which I participated some time ago it was revealed that some staff members interfered in the disciplinary action against those who engage in ragging. This is one of the main reasons why ragging often goes unpunished though there are laws in the Penal Code to deal with ragging.

There are female ragging leaders. There have been instances where girls were asked to remove their underwear and sit on pools of coconut oil and turn repeatedly. Those who subject their fellow students to such torture are poor performers where academic activities are concerned. Their interests are in politics rather than studies.

The student unions, ragging leaders and their victims joined Aragalaya grounds at the Galle Face Green.

A fair number of students from affluent families, who qualify to enter the university, do not enrol due to fear of ragging. The President and Ministers of Education have spoken on a number of occasions against ragging. The present President, when he spoke to student leaders, said that one of the reasons for low standards in the university was ragging.

Much needs to be done to eliminate ragging from universities. The police must be given a free hand to deal with those who engage in ragging. They must never be given academic posts in the university.

N. A de S. Amaratunga