Thaindian News

Chandigarh, June 2 (IANS) It is quite common to see photographs of scholars on college prospectuses. This time, the prospectus of Panjab University (PU) here will also have a page dedicated to the ‘baddies’ of the varsity.
With an aim to curb ragging on campus, authorities of PU have decided to publish the photographs of students who indulge in ragging, with their details on a black page in the prospectus.

“To deter students from taking part in ragging we will publish the photographs of past culprits in the varsity’s prospectus,” Naval Kishore, Dean of Students’ Welfare, PU told IANS Tuesday.

He added: “Before taking admission, students have to fill an affidavit that they would not indulge in any kind of violent activity on campus and parents have to take the responsibility of their wards. Otherwise, the university would be free to take strict disciplinary action against the defaulters.”

In the last academic session, nearly 25 students were involved in ragging on campus. Half a dozen of them were expelled.

Amitabh Rana, a city based psychologist and educationist, told IANS: “We welcome this idea of PU and other universities should also follow in its footsteps. Images would certainly have a deep impact on the minds of students. It will act psychologically and certainly bear good results.”

Mani Atwal, a law student and student leader, said: “We support this decision of the authorities. We strongly condemn incidents of ragging as some times they have even proved fatal as what happened in the case of a medical student in Himachal Pradesh.

“We want PU to strictly implement the anti-ragging guidelines of the Supreme Court and UGC. Our student body is ready to give any kind of help to the authorities to make such initiatives successful.”