University 'traps' colleges that have yet to set up anti-ragging committees

The University of Pune (UoP) officials have claimed that 40 per cent of the colleges affiliated to the varsity are yet to form the mandatory anti-ragging squad on their college premises to curb ragging. There are approximately 850 colleges and institutes across Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar, which are affiliated to the UoP.

Fed up of sending reminders to these colleges and educational institutes, the UoP officials have started ‘trapping’ officials of errant colleges when they come for any approval, results, grants and other administrative-related work and question them whether they have constituted the squads on their campuses.

“Most of the colleges under UoP have complied with the mandatory norms and constituted anti-ragging committees, however, there are some 40 per cent colleges, which are yet to form committees nor have they submitted the forms,” said director of Board of Students Welfare, Dr Pandit Shelke.

“We trap them and ask them whether they have constituted the mandatory committee, when they come for any scheme, results and salary related issues,” he added.

Shelke said, “The incidents of ragging have come down. It looks like that the measures taken by the government to curb the menace and create awareness among the students seem to be working.”

Measures for curbing ragging menace
Before admissions start, the advertisements clearly mention that ragging is banned in colleges. Anyone found guilty of ragging will be appropriately punished.

The prospectus and letters also mention anti-ragging regulations. According to the law, it is compulsory for all colleges and institutions to form anti-ragging committee under the leadership of institute head.

It will comprise selected faculty members, parents, students from the freshers category as well as seniors and selected non-teaching staff.

The squad must patrol the campus, maintain vigil and take action if they notice any ragging activity.