In a significant move to curb ragging in educational institutions, the Kerala High Court has directed the state government to evaluate the effectiveness of existing anti-ragging laws and consider necessary amendments.
The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu while reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA). The PIL highlighted recent cases of ragging and pointed out lapses in law enforcement.
As part of its recommendations, the court proposed the formation of district-level and state-level monitoring committees to ensure strict compliance with anti-ragging regulations. Institutions have also been urged to align their rules with the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act for better enforcement.
The intervention follows a series of alarming incidents, including the tragic case of J. S. Sidharthan, a student from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Mannuthy. Allegedly subjected to extreme ragging, Sidharthan took his own life in February 2024, sparking outrage and debates over institutional accountability.
The High Court’s decisive stand highlights the urgent need for stringent legal reforms and enforcement measures to protect students from the horrors of ragging, ensuring a safer and more secure educational environment across Kerala.
