Thiruvananthapuram, March 3: In a decisive response to the recent brutal ragging incident at the Government College of Nursing, Kottayam, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Monday that five students implicated will be permanently dismissed from the institution.
During Question Hour in the Kerala Assembly, Minister George described the incident as something that had "shocked the conscience of Kerala society." The five accused students, all currently suspended, will soon receive formal dismissal orders from the government, she confirmed.
However, acknowledging significant administrative lapses, George announced the suspension of College Principal Sulekha A T and Assistant Warden-in-Charge, Ajeesh P Mani, pending a detailed inquiry into their alleged negligence in preventing and addressing the ragging incidents.
Five third-year nursing students were subsequently arrested under the Prohibition of Ragging Act. Following their arrest, a district court in Kottayam denied their bail pleas, and the accused remain incarcerated in the district jail.
The announcement underscores Kerala's zero-tolerance stance toward ragging, highlighting the government's swift action aimed at ensuring student safety and discipline in educational institutions across the state.
During Question Hour in the Kerala Assembly, Minister George described the incident as something that had "shocked the conscience of Kerala society." The five accused students, all currently suspended, will soon receive formal dismissal orders from the government, she confirmed.
Immediate Action Taken by Authorities
Responding to concerns raised by Congress MLA Sajeev Joseph, George clarified that none of the accused had any prior complaints or history related to ragging. "They were not involved in any previous ragging incidents, and no such complaints had been registered against them," she stated.However, acknowledging significant administrative lapses, George announced the suspension of College Principal Sulekha A T and Assistant Warden-in-Charge, Ajeesh P Mani, pending a detailed inquiry into their alleged negligence in preventing and addressing the ragging incidents.
Background of the Brutal Ragging Incident
The violent episode, which occurred last month, targeted first-year students at the boys' hostel of the Government Nursing College under the Government Medical College in Kottayam. The harassment reportedly continued unchecked for nearly three months, culminating in widespread public outrage.Five third-year nursing students were subsequently arrested under the Prohibition of Ragging Act. Following their arrest, a district court in Kottayam denied their bail pleas, and the accused remain incarcerated in the district jail.
Ensuring Future Safety in Educational Institutions
Minister Veena George emphasized the government's commitment to preventing future occurrences of ragging. She assured strict enforcement of the University Grants Commission's (UGC) anti-ragging guidelines across all institutions affiliated with the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS). This includes ensuring the effective operation of anti-ragging cells within every affiliated college.The announcement underscores Kerala's zero-tolerance stance toward ragging, highlighting the government's swift action aimed at ensuring student safety and discipline in educational institutions across the state.