Gujarat Student Dies After Alleged Ragging: 15 Seniors Accused of Boy's Death
It is a tragic incident - the first year of medical course at GMERS Medical College and Hospital in Gujarat was cut short by death for one of its students who was allegedly taken for a ragging session by his senior students. Methania was enrolled at the college in Dharpur Patan. Third-year students allegedly made him stand for three continuous hours as a part of the so-called "introduction" ritual, commonly known as "intro", which often includes ragging activities on college campuses.
The incident occurred during an initiation exercise in which freshers, including Methania were reportedly harassed by seniors. At one moment, after standing for hours, the 18-year-old collapsed and lost consciousness. He was immediately taken to the hospital but died shortly thereafter. Before his death, Methania had time to give a statement to the police confirming that indeed, he was forced to stand for hours by his seniors, culminated into his collapse.
The mishap has raised massive outcries while Methania's family is crying out for justice. His cousin Dharmendra was angry over the incident as he said that they were only informed about the collapse of the building after Methania had been admitted to the hospital. He felt that the grieve is magnified by the fact that the student had ragged by seniors.
The Gujarat police have initiated their investigations into the incident following the tragedy. The senior officer KK Pandya has confirmed a complaint has been filed by the student's father and that an accidental death case had been registered. The police are also probing the ragging angle. The authorities have named 15 senior students in the FIR, which have been accused of ragging.
Statement The college administration, led by Dean Hardik Shah, has released a great statement of regret regarding the incident. Shah confirmed that Methania was immediately hospitalized after collapsing and that the college is cooperating with police investigations. Shah said that the college has promised to take stringent action against the offenders.
Ragging has still not gone out of India's education system despite the country-wide ban imposed by the University Grants Commission. The UGC has asked all educational institutions to strictly implement anti-ragging measures and severe punishments for those indulged in ragging or encouraging such acts.
As the investigation continues, this tragic incident really reminds us of the severe aftermath of ragging in schools and colleges and pushes many to enforce more stringent laws against ragging.