After Jadavpur University Student death, Bengal Govt launches anti-ragging helpline number

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a toll free, anti-ragging helpline number (180 345 5678) for all educational institutions across the state on Tuesday. The 24/7 toll free number will be operational from Lal- Bazar, the police headquarters, and full confidentiality will be maintained, the caller’s information will be kept in ‘safety lockers’ overseen by the police. This comes days after a 17 year old student of Jadavpur University lost his life to alleged ragging and sexual harassment. “If anybody faces incidents of ragging or harassment anywhere from schools to colleges to universities, or ever religious places for that matter, they can call and inform the police about such incidents”, said the West Bengal CM. 

“The incident of ragging of Jadavpur University has served as an eye opener for us. I am sure this is not the first time that this is happening, perhaps, it happens quite often, but the students may be scared of reporting such incidents”, said Banerjee. In light of the rising cases of ragging, bullying and harassment, all across the state, this anti ragging helpline number has been made operational by the authorities to curb the problem. 

The chief minister claimed that incidents of ragging are not just limited to Jadavpur University. A student hailing from Bengal was reported dead, allegedly to ragging in Andra Pradesh. “I have asked the CID to investigate this case”, said Banerjee. Moreover, similar incidents have come to the fore from prestigious institutions such as Calcutta University and Vishwa Bharati University. 

Empathizing with the parents of the minor hailing from Jadavpur University she said, “Parents painstakingly raise their kids, then these meritorious students fare well in their examinations and get admitted to such prestigious institutions where they are subjected to ragging and harassment. This is not just limited to one institution, it happens everywhere.” Banerjee is of the opinion that such cases of ragging and harassment have grown exponentially these days, such was not the case during her times. “Always remember that being a good student is not the only qualification, getting 100 in your examinations does not make one a good person. It is important to be humane before anything else”, added the West Bengal CM. 

Assuring the masses of the confidentiality of this toll free service and urging them to report such happenings, Mamata Banerjee said, “People need not be afraid for their identity will not be disclosed, full confidentiality will be maintained. No one will get your information, the police will create and safe locker, with all your information in it. People will no longer feel unsafe to report such incidents.” 

 The anti-ragging helpline comes at a time when the Opposition has been extremely critical of the State Government’s role in curbing such incidents of ragging that allegedly led to the death of the Jadavpur University student. Moreover, they have blamed the ruling government for not having a robust anti-ragging cell for monitoring cases pertaining to ragging and harassment faced by students in educational institutions. Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari has been extremely vocal about his criticism and has stated that the ruling TMC Government’s apathy has resulted in the death of the 1st year student. Centering on the same issue, Bengal assembly witnessed massive uproar leading to BJP MLAs walking out on Tuesday.