The incidents of ragging have recently been on the rise. Earlier this October, an incident of alleged ragging at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Palghar came to light after several students were reportedly injured. One of them was even referred to an ENT specialist, who found the student to have a damaged eardrum. While a probe is underway, this is not the first instance of ragging in the recent past in the city and country.  

In September, a student at the Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Thane was reportedly ragged by his peers inside the college hostel; nine students have now been suspended. In August, a video of a student at Bandodkar College in the same region assaulting NCC cadets on the Joshi Bedekar College campus went viral; the student has now been suspended. In the same month, another student at Jadavpur University died after falling from the second floor of his college hostel, allegedly due to ragging; the responsible students have been arrested and will not be allowed to enter the campus till they are acquitted.

Most of us have been bullied when we were younger, either in school and college or outside of it, there have been others who have even been ragged and probably lived with it with difficulty. While bullying can occur at any level, ragging usually takes place in educational institutions by seniors as an initiation process for the juniors. However, the recent incidents only prove that ragging is rampant and its effects are seen in different ways, and it definitely affects students mentally. Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10. With growing incidents of ragging, the effects of the act on mental health are huge. Experts say there is a need for colleges to tackle this issue immediately by prioritising awareness campaigns that highlight the harmful consequences of ragging while fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels safe and respected. 

With the rise in recent incidents being reported in Mumbai, mid-day.com spoke to Dr Santosh Bangar, senior consultant- psychiatrist at Global Hospitals in Parel, and city-based psychologist Parveen Sheikh, vice president, operations, Mpower (an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust). While the causes may be known, they stress on its effects on students, and toll on mental health. They also dwell on how not only family members have to be vigilant but also how authorities need to take timely action. 

What is ragging and why does it occur? 
Bangar: Ragging is a disturbing practice prevalent in many educational institutions around the world. It involves seniors subjecting new students to various forms of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. It often stems from a desire to establish dominance and assert authority by seniors over newcomers. The perpetrators seek validation for their own experiences of being subjected to ragging during their time as juniors. By inflicting pain on others, they replicate the sense of power they once felt helpless against.  

Moreover, peer acceptance plays a crucial role in driving ragging incidents. Students feel compelled to participate due to fear of being ostracised or labelled as weak.  

Furthermore, societal norms that romanticise aggressive behaviour and view it as character-building contribute to its persistence.