Bengal Among Top 3 States on Ragging List, UGC Expresses Concern

The University Grants Commission has thrashed the state government of Bengal and expressed its concern over the sharp rise in the number of ragging cases across various campuses in the state. The number of ragging cases has been increasing since 2009, and the state government failed to address the issue in a time-bound manner. The UGC has urged the state government to initiate steps and ensure that Bengal becomes a ragging free state.

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According to the data collected by UGC, Bengal ranks second in ragging where a total number of 457 cases have been registered between 2009 and 2016. Uttar Pradesh stands in the first place in ragging where a total number of 689 cases have been recorded.

Since the new academic session commenced in the state, a total number of 20 cases were registered. Jaspal Sandhu, Secretary of UGC, wrote a letter to state government expressed his concern over the number of ragging cases reported in Bengal. It has been adversely affecting the higher education system of the country.

Also read: - UGC Directs Colleges to Take Steps Against Ragging

He further mentioned that UGC had sent a letter to the state government on February 10, 2016, seeking a repose over the ragging menace. However, the state government did not respond to UGC.

At Indian Institute of Science and Technology, Shibpur and Jadavpur University, severe punishment has been imposed on several complaints which were registered with UGC. Some of the students have been rusticated from the campus, and the monetary penalty was inflicted on the accused students.