{"id":27524,"date":"2026-06-27T17:46:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T12:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/the-fun-that-isnt-funny-how-ragging-leaves-lasting-scars-delhi-news\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T17:46:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T12:16:53","slug":"the-fun-that-isnt-funny-how-ragging-leaves-lasting-scars-delhi-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/the-fun-that-isnt-funny-how-ragging-leaves-lasting-scars-delhi-news\/","title":{"rendered":"The ‘fun’ that isn’t funny: How ragging leaves lasting scars | Delhi News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Ragging isn’t tradition; it’s trauma that leaves lasting scars (AI image used for representational purpose only)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Despite significant efforts to raise awareness and put in place laws meant to end ragging, this serious issue continues to exist in many schools and colleges. Many individuals choose to ignore ragging viewing it as a “tradition” or a harmless aspect of their collegiate experience; however, its effect on the victim is seldom viewed in the same manner. For one individual, ragging may be perceived as humourous whereas for the other individual, the victim may carry emotional scars from the experience and\/or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or in extreme cases, end up costing the victim their life. <\/p>\n

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Year after year, thousands of new students enter college hoping to meet new people, study and begin building their futures. Many, however, will experience fear, humiliation, and abuse by senior students. While some continue to move on from their experiences, many carry the emotional scars of their experiences for many years. In some cases, the trauma from these experiences may ultimately lead to depression, self-harm, or suicide.The truth is that there is nothing “harmless” about ragging. Ragging can involve emotional abuse, physical violence, humiliation, sexual harassment, sleep deprivation and humiliating a person both physically and mentally. What may seem like a harmless prank to one person may have a long-lasting impact on another persons’ self-confidence and overall mental health. Many victims of ragging do not report incidents of ragging because they are afraid of retaliation, being ostracised, or not being taken seriously. Therefore, many students keep their complaints to themselves and suffer immensely from the mental and physical toll that ragging takes on them.<\/p>\n

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  • Provide students with a safe environment where they can grow with confidence and dignity.<\/li>\n
  • Encourage education, creativity, and the overall development of every individual.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    The sad truth, however, is that ragging creates a climate of fear and insecurity for students; as a result, students become anxious about attending classes and living in dormitories. What could be a memorable time in the lives of these students often becomes a nightmare for them.<\/p>\n

    What exactly is ragging?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

    Ragging is any act by senior students that causes physical, emotional, or psychological harm to juniors. It is often disguised as an “introduction” or a “tradition,” but in reality, it is a form of bullying. Instead of helping students adjust to college life, ragging creates fear, insecurity, and humiliation.It can take many forms, including:<\/p>\n

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    • Verbal abuse and insulting language.<\/li>\n
    • Physical assault or forced physical activities.<\/li>\n
    • Public humiliation and embarrassing tasks.<\/li>\n
    • Sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour.<\/li>\n
    • Sleep deprivation and denial of food.<\/li>\n
    • Threats, intimidation, and mental harassment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

      Many seniors argue that ragging helps juniors become more confident or teaches them discipline. However, respect cannot be built through fear. Real friendships develop through kindness, guidance, and mutual understanding\u2014not humiliation.<\/p>\n

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      Real-life cases that show the reality of ragging<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      Reading about the effects of ragging is one thing, but real incidents reveal just how devastating it can be. Behind every newspaper headline is a student whose dreams were cut short because of abuse and humiliation.<\/p>\n

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      Case 1: Anup Kapoor \u2013 A life lost to humiliation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      One of the earliest cases that drew national attention was that of engineering student Anup Kapoor, who reportedly died by suicide after allegedly facing severe ragging inside his hostel. According to media reports, he had endured repeated humiliation and mental torture. His tragic death shocked people across the country and became a reminder that emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical violence.<\/p>\n

      Case 2: Nitin Padalkar \u2013 Months of harassment end in tragedy<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

      Another heartbreaking incident involved Nitin Padalkar, a 19-year-old engineering student from Navi Mumbai. Reports stated that he had been harassed by senior students for months before taking his own life. His suicide note reportedly mentioned those responsible for the continuous ragging he had experienced. The incident highlighted how prolonged bullying can leave victims feeling trapped and hopeless.<\/p>\n

      Case 3: Bhavnagar Medical College \u2013 A reminder that ragging still exists<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

      Ragging is not just a problem of the past. In 2025, The Times of India reported a disturbing incident at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Junior students alleged that they were forced to stay awake throughout the night, perform humiliating punishments, and endure both physical and mental harassment. CCTV footage and student complaints eventually led to disciplinary action against several senior students. The incident proved that despite strict anti-ragging regulations, such practices continue to exist.The stories of Anup Kapoor, Nitin Padalkar, and the students at Bhavnagar Medical College are painful reminders that ragging is far more than a harmless college tradition. Behind every such incident is a young student who entered college with dreams and aspirations but instead experienced fear, humiliation, and emotional suffering. These real-life examples show how ragging can affect every aspect of a student’s life, from mental well-being to physical health and academic performance. <\/p>\n

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      Impact of ragging is an emotional wound<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

      The worst effects of ragging are usually those that are invisible. A bruise will heal in about two weeks, but humiliation, fear and emotional trauma can last for years.Students who have experienced ragging can suffer from:<\/p>\n

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