Karnataka Ragging: Nursing Student Forced To Drink Toilet Cleaner, Struggling For Her Life

In spite of voicing loud protests and constant condemnation against ragging, it seems educational institutes in India are yet to be free from this evil. A 19-year-old Kerala girl has been admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) with serious health issues. The girl, Aswathi, studying in Al Qamar College of Nursing, Kalaburagi, Karnataka was allegedly forced to drink toilet cleaner by her seniors on May 9. Owing to several internal burns, she was admitted to ICU of a local hospital in Kalaburagi. But after five days, her condition worsened so her family took her to Thrissur Hospital. On June 2, She was shifted to KMCH. Her condition is still critical.

Routine ragging at college

Aswathi describes in the letter addressed to her lawyer, the routine ragging that went on in their college and in the girls’ hostel. The copy of the complaint that has been submitted to chief ministers of Karnataka and Kerala details how the juniors were expected to respectfully wish the seniors at multiple times during the day, failing which they would be reprimanded for hours.

Shattering of a mother’s dream

Aswathi writes in her letter that many times in the past, a few of her seniors (all hailing from Kerala) had meted out various punishments including making her and roommate walk on their knees or jump like frogs, reports News Minute. Aswathi belongs to a very poor family and a Dalit community. Her mother, who is daily wage labourer wanted her daughter to become a nurse and that’s why took a loan of Rs 3 lakh to send her to college.

College denies ragging allegations

However, the college administration has completely denied any claims of ragging and told the police that the girl tried to commit suicide. The Gulbarga police have formed special teams to investigate the case. Three technical teams will carry out a parallel probe into different aspects.

The Logical Indian conveys its sincere condolences to the mother of the student who had borrowed money and dreamt of a better future for her daughter despite she going through hardships. We request the government of Karnataka and Kerala to work together and ensure harsh punishments for the harasser.