Ragging Incidents in Himachal Pradesh: Medical College Suspends 12 Students, IIT-Mandi Takes Disciplinary Action

In a stern response to the menace of ragging, authorities in Himachal Pradesh have taken decisive actions against students involved in such incidents. In Kangra, 12 students from a medical college have been suspended and fined for ragging their juniors, marking the second case of ragging in the state within two months. Meanwhile, IIT-Mandi also recently suspended students and imposed disciplinary measures for a similar incident. This blog post delves into the details of these actions and the authorities' commitment to eradicating ragging.

Ragging at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC):

• Suspension and Fines: In a significant move, 12 students from a medical college in Kangra have been suspended and fined Rs 50,000 each for their involvement in ragging their juniors. The authorities at RPGMC have taken a strong stand against such behavior.

• Duration of Suspension: The suspended students face three months of suspension from the college and an additional six months from the hostel.

• Warning to First-Year Students: Two first-year students have been cautioned for concealing information about the incident from the college authorities. RPGMC Principal Bhanu Awasthi emphasized that transparency and reporting such incidents are vital to preventing ragging.

• Anti-Ragging Measures: RPGMC has in place anti-ragging committees and an anti-ragging squad that actively work to prevent such incidents. During a routine check of the hostels, the squad discovered practical copies belonging to senior students in the rooms of first-year students, leading to the investigation.

• Punitive Recommendations: Following the investigation, the anti-ragging squad recommended the fine and suspension for six senior students in its initial report. A subsequent report found six more students guilty and recommended the same punishment.

• Warning to First-Year Students: The squad also recommended a warning for two first-year students who were found with the practical copies but did not report the matter to the authorities.

Ragging at IIT-Mandi:

• Disciplinary Action: In a separate incident, IIT-Mandi took disciplinary action against students involved in ragging. Ten students were suspended from academics and hostel accommodation until December 2023.

• Fines and Community Service: Additionally, 62 other students faced fines ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and were required to perform community service for 20 to 60 hours, depending on their level of involvement in the incident.

The proactive response by authorities in Himachal Pradesh against ragging incidents underscores their commitment to maintaining safe and respectful learning environments for students. Such strict measures aim to discourage ragging and promote a culture of mutual respect and dignity within educational institutions. These actions serve as a strong message that ragging will not be tolerated, and those involved will face severe consequences.