The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that two students of class XI at Delhi Public School (DPS) in NOIDA were beaten mercilessly by 17 seniors for protesting ragging and reporting it to the school authorities. The boys were returning after dinner to their hostel when they were ragged, abused and beaten up last Sunday.
Observing that it raises the issue of serious violation of right to life and dignity of the young students, the Commission has issued notices to Chief Secretary (UP), District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police in Noida. They have been asked to report within four weeks.
The Commission also observed that ragging has been banned in educational institutions and certain guidelines on recommendations of the Raghvan Committee have been issued.
The Apex Court, while deciding the Civil Appeal No. 887 of 2009 had also referred to ragging as an ugly scar, which is required to be obliterated from the face of educational institutions. School authorities are legally bound and responsible to ensure protection of students from the menace of ragging.
As per media reports, one of the victims had suffered phusical abuse and mental trauma by seniors in the name of ragging. However, the school authorities after providing first aid, asked the victim to stay at home for a few days.
Even after Sunday’s incident, the school management tried to persuade the victims' parents not to file a report with police.