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Maharashtra proposes antidote for ragging

Maharashtra Health Minister Daulatrao Aher on Tuesday announced that the government would bring an anti-ragging bill in the next session of the legislature to provide for strict punishment for ragging in educational institutions.

Dr Aher made the announcement in the legislative council after informing the members that a first-year medical student, Nilesh Manorkar, of the government's Indira Gandhi Medical College at Nagpur committed suicide on December 17 due to ragging by about 10 to 12 "seniors, including girls".

He also said that another MBBS student of the Vasantrao Naik Medical College at Yavatmal was rusticated for one year for torturing his junior in the name of ragging.

Members from both sides, expressing shock over the suicide, demanded stringent action against the guilty. They also urged the government to bring in a comprehensive measure to curb the menace.

The suicide of Nilesh was raised through a motion for urgent discussion by leader of opposition Chhagan Bhujbal and eight others last week, and Chairman N S Pharande had asked the government to make a statement.

Dr Aher said that though Nilesh had not reported his harassment to the anti-ragging committee of the college, he had confided to his school teacher Ashok More in Akola district that he was under great mental tension and was feeling depressed on account of constant teasing by seniors. More told the police that he had directed Nilesh to a psychiatrist for treatment.

The health minister said Nilesh had rented a room in Siraupeth locality. He consumed Endosalfan insectiside and was admitted to a private clinic by the owner of the house in an unconscious state on December 17. He died two days later.

UNI

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