DU takes strict steps to curb ragging

Delhi University has come up with new ideas to prevent and if need be, punish those who endorse ragging this year.

Adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards ragging, Delhi University has put a strict mechanism in place to make breaking the ice with seniors a smooth affair for the freshers.

"A meeting of the Proctorial Board of DU was held to deliberate upon measures for facilitating smooth induction of students during the opening of the academic session. We have taken on board Delhi Police and DTC to ensure maintenance of discipline and prevention of ragging across varsity colleges," DU Registrar Tarun Das said.

The new academic session begins on July 20.

While all the students at the time of admission have been asked to submit an affidavit stating that all guidelines pertaining to ragging will be strictly followed, the college campuses have been made out of bound for outsiders.

There will be police pickets outside every college with special assistance being provided to women's colleges.

Although preventive or punitive measures will be taken by the principals, defacing of college walls by political parties will warrant direct action by the police, if found necessary.

Police assistance will also be sought against raggers if the college authorities feel so.

"All colleges have been asked to form Anti-Ragging and Vigilance squads. Martial arts trained women from Special Police Unit for Women and Children have been deployed at identified sensitive areas in the university," Das said.

Delhi Police will also be monitoring traffic and can barricade any part of the university campus. Students have been advised to use public transport, he added.

The university has set up two joint control rooms.

The North Campus control room can be reached at 27667221 and the South Campus control room at 24119832. These will start operating from Tuesday, a day before colleges officially open.

There are also other ways to report ragging.

A written complaint can be dropped in the college; students can call the national anti-ragging helpline that will function round the clock at 1800-180-5522, or can contact the nearest PCR van by dialling 100.

The varsity's Community Radio is also being utilised for the creating awareness about the same.

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