Kerala |
Five students from Government Nursing College in Kottayam will be removed for severely ragging their juniors, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Friday. The decision comes after disturbing videos of the incident surfaced on social media, causing widespread anger.
What Happened?
According to reports, the seniors physically tortured their juniors and made them do embarrassing tasks in the men’s hostel. The victims reported that they were:
- Beaten with dumbbells and sharp objects
- Stripped and forced to place weights on their private parts
- Made to apply lotion on their wounds and cream on their faces
- Forced to give money to the seniors
The ragging reportedly started in November 2024 and continued for months.
Who Are the Accused?
The police have arrested five senior nursing students:
- Samuel Johnson (20)
- Jeeva NS (19)
- Rahul Raj KP (22)
- Rijiljith C (21)
- Vivek NV (21)
They were sent to district jail after being presented in court.
Police Investigation and Action
After receiving complaints from three junior students, the Kottayam Gandhinagar police registered a case and arrested the accused. A special investigation team led by the Deputy Director of Nursing Education has been set up to examine the extent of the abuse and ensure justice.
Protests in College
The incident led to large protests by student groups ABVP and SFI, who demanded strict punishment for the accused. The protests turned tense, and police had to use water cannons to control the crowd.
Government’s Response
Minister Veena George has assured that ragging will not be tolerated, and those involved will face serious consequences. She also promised that the government will take strong measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
A Serious Issue in Colleges
This case highlights the need for stricter anti-ragging laws and better protection for students in hostels. While the accused are being punished, the bigger concern is how colleges can prevent such shocking incidents from happening again.
