Pondicherry University suspends 9 students for ragging

Nine students will be suspended from the Pondicherry University for ragging. The university has taken this decision, following the recommendations of the discipline committee.

The committee was constituted to look into the complaints of two first year female students of postgraduate courses, after they stated a report of ragging by a male MPEd student.

The report stated, "Committee had conducted a detailed inquiry into the said complaints giving personal hearing to all the students involved in the reported incidents. Principles of natural justice are maintained."

It further said, "The inquiry committee submitted its report in minutes dated 14-10-2013, confirming that the reported incident was out of quarrel between two groups of students in which both the groups used derogatory words and also the complainant girls and their friends have not exhausted the remedial/redress mechanisms already available in the university before seeking redress from other channels and outside agencies without the approval of the university thereby constituting gross misconduct warranting strict disciplinary action."

However, the panel had recommended immediate disciplinary action against the complaint given by the two female students. The students who were involved in ragging are M.Kavya, T Vidya Appukuttan, N.C Monu, KS Sreejith (Jiththu), M. Aneesh, PV Abhijith, B. Abhijith, Rony Poulose and K. Jyotish.

Based on the recommendations, these students are directed to vacate their respective hostels on or before 11th of November.

Unfortunately, the panel has also suggested disciplinary action against five students for approaching media to release the news about the ragging incident without seeking due permission from the University higher authority.