Kirori Mal College in ragging row

Authorities at Kirori Mal College, alma mater of many luminaries including Amitabh Bachchan, on Monday expelled two students for allegedly ragging and sexually harassing a first-year student in the college hostel.  Third-year students Akshay Chaudhary and Hani Mohammad, who were expelled for ragging first-year student Ashutosh, denied the charges. Ashutosh has left the college hostel and moved in with his local guardian.

“We have decided to expel both the students and will register a police complaint against them for physically, sexually and mentally harassing a junior student. We have also rusticated another third-year student for sending Ashutosh to his seniors,” principal Bhim Sen Singh said.

The decision was taken at a college disciplinary committee meeting. Both the victim and the accused were asked to appear before the committee, but none of them turned up. “It’s a serious offence and I took the decision to expel the students with a heavy heart as I know their careers will be ruined,” Singh said. “Tough action is needed to give freshers the confidence to come out openly against ragging.”

Chaudhary and Mohammad said they had simply asked Ashutosh to introduce himself. “Ashutosh was  asked  his name and native place,” Mohammed said. “I did not even speak to Ashutosh. I was present because I share my room with Hani,” Akshay said. The duo said they were clueless about the disciplinary meeting.

Several students of the college protested the decision. “Asking juniors their name and other details is not ragging,” Abhinav Pandey, a Delhi University student said.
“Expelling two students will not act as a deterrent. Ragging will continue,” said another student.