Ragging syndrome

A national convention on student discipline has held that Sri Lanka is the worst affected country in our region with regard to the incidences of ragging.

Ragging is not a new phenomenon. Though it was present in the University campuses ever since the opening of the University College in the colonial era it took the present crude and violent form only after the proliferation of universities and the qualitative increase of the student intake.

Very often the senior undergraduates coming from impoverished social backgrounds give vent to their frustration and despair by inflicting humiliating punishment on the innocent fresh students. It is a warped means of expressing "class solidarity" by the mob leaders who conduct these bouts of ragging.

Therefore, the issue of ragging cannot be considered a law and order problem alone. There are other socio-economic factors too that would have caused the persistence of the problem even after the enactment of stringent anti-ragging laws.

Chief Justice Asoka de Silva has, however, called for more stringent laws and their implementation. He has also expressed grave concern over the politicization of the students, which is considered a factor that leads to ragging.

Empirical observations too have witnessed a set of politically motivated student leaders who have less interest in pursuing studies to obtain a degree than in mobilizing student protests against the authorities.

University students as adults should have their freedom to engage in politics of their choice. It is unquestionable. However, Universities as breeding grounds of intellectuals should have an environment which is favourable to intellectual discourse and debate. It cannot be a place where opposing political ideologies lead to violent physical clashes between their adherents. Unfortunately the latter is the case today.

It has also been observed that the practice of ragging is used as a method to attract fresh students to the political organizations to which those who engage in ragging belong to.

Ragging in general is an affront to the dignity of the person. It is a violation of the victim's human rights. Physical and mental injuries caused during ragging has caused trauma in many instances. There were also incidents of victims being deformed or being killed.

Though new laws were enacted about a decade ago to contain this ugly practice, it has not been able to do so. Besides, the law has been rarely implemented too. Even in cases in which the culprits have been brought before Courts they escape punishment due to lack of evidence as witnesses fear intimidation and revenge.

It is necessary for the University teachers to engage the student community in a continuous dialogue on the need to do away with this ugly practice. Political party leaders who turn a blind eye to such blatant violations of human rights by their followers and members should also take the blame. There is a need for political consensus at high level to do away with this system. Ragging is part of anti-social behaviour. It is a practice that cannot be justified on any grounds.

New and innovative means should be introduced by the University authorities in association with student unions to welcome fresh students and encourage them to get acquainted with the campus set up in a freer atmosphere.

Enchanted attachment

Fixtures and valuables keep disappearing from stately abodes occupied by notable personages. First it was a valuable painting from no less a place than the Presidential abode some years ago. Recently we had a another 'key' fixture taking wing back home in the baggage of a diplomat. Now comes the news that a legislator who held the post of a Deputy Minister walking off with some furniture and fittings of his Ministry office along with his appointment to a new portfolio.

This predilection of loathing by our notable and quotable to part with coveted possessions that they do not own needs careful analysis. Apparently this breed has developed a proprietary interest in not only the high office they occupy but also the luxuries that go with it.Growing amidst these luxuries they may well develop a sentimental attachment to some of its symbols. They may well be excused for their indiscretions which are after all human failings.But the question to be asked is whether this 'out put' could come even near the real output of their services rendered to the public through the high office they occupied.