Seven students were suspended on Wednesday for allegedly ragging a junior at The Government College in Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram. One of the victims confirmed to authorities, stating, “I have given my statement, and the police will file an FIR.”
The victim’s father explained that his child had been severely injured due to the ragging and is currently undergoing treatment. He said, “There was a fight among friends. Ragging occurred, and my child was severely attacked. We have already provided a statement to the police.”
Kerala’s Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Dr. R. Bindu, responded to the incident, stating that the Directorate of Collegiate Education had been asked for a report. She also confirmed that the anti-ragging cell at the college level had initiated its procedures, and strict action would be taken. Dr. Bindu added, “This incident occurred in a college under the Higher Education Department, and it is our responsibility to act against such activities. The anti-ragging cell responded immediately, and the students involved have already been suspended.”
Furthermore, Dr. Bindu revealed plans to establish a state-level anti-ragging cell to prevent such activities across campuses. Currently, there is a three-tier system, with anti-ragging cells at the college, university, and UGC levels. Given the recent incidents, the state government has decided to form a higher-level body to ensure stronger anti-ragging measures.
In a similar case, five students were arrested on February 12 for allegedly ragging juniors at Kottayam Government Nursing College. The Gandhinagar Police confirmed that the accused were remanded in custody for two days. The victims reported that the ragging had been ongoing for nearly three months. Police indicated that the ragging began in November, shortly after the first-year classes commenced, and are now investigating whether additional students were involved in the case.
