Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: A procession was organized today in the Srinagar district, comprising of students from local schools and professionals, with the aim of promoting awareness against the harmful practices of ragging and drug abuse.
In a proactive move, the University Grants Commission
recently designated August 12 as Anti-Ragging Day, followed by an Anti-Ragging
Week from August 12 to the 18th.
This collaborative rally was orchestrated with the
involvement of a Non-Governmental Organization and the Indian Army. Winding its
way through various parts of the city, the procession sought to ignite
consciousness about the dangers associated with ragging and drug misuse.
The participants, including both students and professionals,
held up placards displaying messages such as "Ragging Constitutes a
Criminal Act" and "Ragging Will Not Be Tolerated," unequivocally
condemning the act of ragging and the use of drugs.
Altaf Mehraj, a practicing advocate based in Srinagar,
shared with ANI that this demonstration is the result of a collective effort
involving the NGO and the Indian Army. He noted, "We have witnessed
instances where newcomers face taunts and, in certain cases, even physical
torment from their seniors within certain educational institutions." He
recalled a 2001 Supreme Court decree that unequivocally prohibited ragging
across the nation, reiterating, "Ragging has no place in any civil
society. It should be strictly banned."
Nasir, a student hailing from Kupwara who actively took part
in the rally, conveyed to ANI, "I earnestly urge all seniors to desist
from engaging in ragging within educational institutions. This behavior takes
an emotional toll. Similarly, I implore everyone to refrain from drug usage,
given its far-reaching adverse impacts on society, including our parents."
Speaking to ANI, Jahinger Bakshi, the Secretary of the
District Legal Services Authorities in Srinagar, explained, "Through this
event, our intention is to foster awareness regarding the grave consequences of
ragging. Such conduct has no place within our educational institutions. Under
the pretext of initiation, senior students subject their junior counterparts to
various forms of harassment." He underscored the unfortunate reality that
some students resort to suicide due to ragging, although he couldn't provide
specific instances. He added, "The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has
expressly outlawed ragging within educational settings." This prohibition
is reinforced by the Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Ragging Act of 2011,
stipulating that anyone found guilty of ragging within or outside an
educational institution may face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up
to Rs 10,000, or both.
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