In the educational institutions of India, so-called confidence building measures get played after admissions. Having the element of the perverse, dangerous ‘ragging’ in the universities has met with strong disapproval not only from the judiciary and academia, but also from guardians and freshers. If mere intimidation from the seniors was not enough, it has been reported that unfair and inhuman practices like beating, humiliating and even sexual assault have been practiced nonchalantly. The victims are often left in the lurch with no reprieve in most of the cases.

This nefarious practice unfortunately has defendants who claim that the exercise is a perfectly healthy way of ‘seniors getting to know the juniors’! However, despite severe castigation from the Supreme Court and several anti-ragging laws operating in several states, the ‘crime’ has certain specified logic. That logic is built on acclimatising a newcomer into the ifs and buts of the system. The diktat is simple – follow the system and never ever ask questions against it.

With the heavy politicisation of the universities, the government is often at a loss to challenge this malaise. So, till the norms of collective responsibility develop, society will remain a mute spectator to this ‘introductory get-together.