DU is all set to tackle ragging on first day

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All set to welcome freshers, Delhi University (DU) has a plan in place to crackdown ragging. While the university has taken special steps to ensure “zero tolerance to ragging”, seniors too are planning to break-the-ice with fuchchas in a friendly way.
“The proctor office has issued a special advisory to each college, directing them to set up an anti-ragging committee. As per the guidelines, this committee should include the principal, senior teachers and students,” said Dr Manoj Arora, deputy proctor, North Campus.
While the advisory has been in place since last year, DU will enforce it more sternly this time around, shares Dr Arora.
Apart from that, steps have been taken at the ground level to ensure a ragging-free campus. Colleges have installed a complaint box outside the principal’s office where newcomers can drop in a letter in case they face any problems inside the campus.
Also, a national helpline number (18001805522) has been set up to cater to students’ woes. Complaints can also be entertained via SMS.
Also, special counsellors will be there to assist shy and vulnerable newcomers, and in case of any untoward incident.
Dr Arora adds, “The Delhi police will be deploying its personnel in plain clothes around the campus. The vigil would be tough at isolated spots, hostels and canteen etc.”
Says Dr Kanika Khandelwal, media coordinator, Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), “LSR is an all-women’s college and we follow UGC guidelines when it comes to curbing ragging. We have a tough anti-ragging squad in place and we don’t take the matter lightly,” she says.
Kanika informs that the second and third year students are made to sign an undertaking, which reads that ragging is a crime as per the law. College seniors have planned special welcome parties and treats for the freshers.
Divya Sabharwal, a third year DU student informs, “We are aware that ragging is a crime, rest assured we won’t encourage or participate in it. But at the same time we know that ice-breaking sessions are important and juniors look forward to it. So we will have meetings which will be interesting and entertaining for both seniors and juniors in college. There’s nothing to be scared of,” she adds.
Many colleges are also planning freshers parties to encourage interaction between seniors and juniors. “But we have made it clear to students that what may be fun for you could be a botheration for freshers. We have to understand that the most of these freshers are from small towns,” adds Kanika.