Five senior nursing students in Kottayam, Kerala, have been arrested for allegedly ragging first-year students for months, including forcing them to strip, physical torture with dumbbells and compasses, extortion for alcohol, and filming of the allegedly abusive acts, starting in November 2024.
The college has suspended the accused, and police are investigating the matter under the Anti-Ragging Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, highlighting concerns about student safety and the persistence of abusive practices in educational institutions. Police are further investigating if drugs were used in the commission of the crime.
Ragging Horrors Unveiled at Nursing College
The victims, three first-year students from Thiruvananthapuram, detailed the allegedly horrific abuse in their complaint to the Kottayam Gandhinagar police. The abuse allegedly included forcing them to stand naked, hanging dumbbells from their private parts, and stabbing them with compasses. Adding to the physical torment, the seniors allegedly applied lotion to the wounds, causing intense pain, and smeared it in their mouths when they cried out.
The seniors also allegedly extorted money from the juniors to buy alcohol and threatened them with dire consequences if they reported the abuse, even allegedly filming the acts to ensure compliance. Reportedly, one student informed his father, who then encouraged him to approach the police. The extent of the injuries allegedly required medical attention for the victims.
Accused Identified and Charges Filed
The arrested students have been identified as Rahul Raj, NS Jeeva, NP Vivek, Rigil Jeeth, and Samuel Johnson. They face charges under Sections 118(1), 308(2), and 351(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 3 and 4 of The Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act.
Pattern of Abuse and Institutional Response
The allegedly ragging had been ongoing for nearly three months, since November 2024, before the complaint was filed, indicating a failure of existing oversight mechanisms. The college, which functions under the Kottayam Government Medical College, immediately suspended the accused students following the police report. However, questions are being raised about whether the college could have acted sooner if internal reporting systems were more effective. This incident follows concerns raised weeks earlier after a 15-year-old schoolboy in Kochi died by suicide, with his mother alleging bullying as a factor, underscoring a broader issue of abuse in educational settings.
Police Investigation
The police investigation is being led by Gandhi Nagar SHO T Sreejith. Crucially, police are also investigating reports suggesting that the senior students may have been under the influence of drugs during the allegedly ragging incidents. This adds another layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about the availability and use of illicit substances within the college environment.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The persistence of allegedly ragging in educational institutions is a grave concern, reflecting a disturbing power dynamic and a lack of empathy. Such acts of violence and degradation have no place in environments meant to foster learning and growth.
The Logical Indian condemns this abuse and urges colleges and universities to enforce stricter anti-ragging measures, promote a culture of respect and support, and ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Beyond legal measures and institutional policies, a fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviours is necessary to eradicate allegedly ragging.
How can we create educational spaces that prioritise kindness, understanding, and mutual respect, ensuring such incidents are consigned to the past?
