Govt. steps in over ragging, calling inquiry ‘unsatisfactory’

Minister denounces claim that ragging is a culture

We are being assaulted and threatened when we walk within the university as well as outside. We are not allowed to enter the canteen, washrooms, library or hostels."

A government minister has intervened in the ragging controversy at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) in Rajagiriya, ordering a fresh inquiry into a series of incidents, with students describing an ugly environment of humiliation and physical and sexual abuse.

The State Minister of Higher Education, Mohan Lal Grero, said the decision had been taken following new complaints of ragging at the Institute.

He said that the ministry also inquiring into attacks on anti-ragging groups that included first, second and third-year students at the IIM.

He said that he had called for a meeting with students, the IIM Director and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo to discuss the issue.

Mr. Grero said he had been informed about a recent incident involving two boys as well as an incident in which a third- year female had been assaulted last year.

He said he had listened to the anti-ragging group’s complaints and asked for a report on the incidents.

“I found that the inquiry was unsatisfactory. Therefore I have planned to call for another proper inquiry by next week,” he said.

“I heard that some students are saying that ragging is a sub-culture. It is no culture. It is cruelty. It is unpleasant. People do not assault those who have different ideas due to culture,” he said.

A third-year student said his batch had tried to form an anti-ragging group but some seniors and members from the same batch had started ragging and attacking them.

He explained that cruel ragging including verbal abuse, sexual torture, mental torture, stripping students in hostels and degrading “punishments” were taking place and demoralising students.

“We are being assaulted and threatened when we walk within the university as well as outside. We are not allowed to enter the canteen, washrooms, library or hostels,” he said.

A female student said she had been coerced to stop attending lectures at one time. She said student already suffering from a kidney illness had been subjected to ragging and been humiliated.

A student with heart problems had been attacked and had been forced to return to a hostel where a serious level of ragging is reported to be taking place.

The Vice Chancellor of Colombo University, Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, said he would take strong action if the students of the IMM produced a formal complaint naming the students who attacked them.

“Ragging activities can be stopped if students are coming forward with evidence. I can then take action and even safeguard them by laying complaints with police,” he said

Meanwhile a court case on the ragging of a first-year student is underway at the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. A bail application on behalf of Kelaniya University seven students in custody will be considered on July 4.

In another incident related to ragging, two first-year teaching students at the Nilwala National Collage of Education were assaulted this week.

Three suspects had been physically assaulting the fresher teaching students until they lost consciousness. The suspects were produced in front of Matara Magistrate and released on bail.