Governor MC Bhandare addresses a state-level meeting at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14: Incidents of ragging had decreased significantly in the state with just two cases being reported in the past three years, said governor and chancellor of state universities M.C. Bhandare.

He was addressing the first state-level anti-ragging committee (cell) meeting today at Raj Bhavan.

“Orissa has a unique culture of peace and tolerance which does not allow or encourage ragging. The state will soon become ragging-free and set new standards in anti-ragging measures implemented,” he said.

Bhandare spoke about the state-level anti-ragging committee and the steps taken by the higher education department and various universities to curb the menace on campuses.

A review of the implementation and compliance of guidelines at the university and district levels was also on the agenda today.

“Ragging is a violation of human rights and creates a sense of fear in the minds of the victims. However, it should not be confused with clashes or quarrels,” he said.

He advised the vice-chancellors present at the meeting to hold regular counselling sessions for students to generate awareness about ragging.

Bhandare stressed the formation of anti-ragging squads at every institution, and similar committees at the university, district and hostel levels. The head of the institution, teaching and non-teaching staff, guardians, representatives of students from the senior as well as fresher batches, from the civil and police administration, local media and NGOs involved in youth activities must be included as members, he said.

Every institution must prominently display the contact numbers of authorities such as vice-chancellor, registrar, dean, wardens, local collector and superintendent of police.

“The anti-ragging squad must be a body with vigil, oversight and patrolling functions and should appropriately be a smaller body as nominated by the head of the institution.

“The squad should be empowered to conduct surprise raids on hostels and inspect other vulnerable spots on campus. It will work under the overall guidance of the anti-ragging committee,” Bhandare added.

Industries minister Raghunath Mohanty said his department had issued circulars to technical universities and colleges to take stringent action against those involved in ragging while chief secretary, Bijay Kumar Patnaik said no complacency would be shown to those committing violence, especially ragging-related, on the campus.

Secretary of higher education department Chandra Shekhar Kumar, principal secretary of culture Ashok Tripathy, agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy, health secretary Anu Garg, chancellor’s secretary Parag Gupta and other senior government officers were present at the meeting and participated in the deliberations.