“Respect is the foundation of every safe and inclusive community.”
On the occasion of National Anti-Ragging Day/Week, The Bhawanipur Education Society College conducted an awareness programme titled “Say No to Ragging” on 12th August 2026, from 10:30 a.m. onwards at the Concept Hall. The programme aimed to sensitise students about the legal, emotional, and social consequences of ragging and encourage them to contribute to building a safe and inclusive campus.
The programme commenced with an oath-taking ceremony led by the Vice Principal, Department of Commerce (Morning), Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi. Students pledged to stand against all forms of bullying, harassment, and mistreatment and to uphold dignity and respect within the college community. The legal aspects of ragging were addressed by Mr. Faisal Fasih, Assistant Professor, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS). He highlighted how popular films and media often portray casual bullying and ragging as harmless or even entertaining, thereby normalising behaviour that can have serious consequences.
He emphasised that the right to live with dignity is one of the most fundamental human rights. Ragging, he explained, can leave victims with long-lasting psychological trauma and may affect their careers, social relationships, and overall quality of life. He also drew attention to the changing nature of ragging, particularly its extension into cyber and digital spaces, and spoke about cases where identity-based harassment involving caste, religion, colour, or other characteristics can have devastating consequences.
Following this, Ms. Saloni Priya, Founder and Director of Umeed Counselling Services, addressed the emotional and psychological impact of ragging. Drawing from her experience as a mental health professional, she explained that the effects of ragging can persist long after college, sometimes influencing an individual’s personality, relationships, and confidence. She stressed that prevention must remain the priority, as emotional scars cannot simply be erased once they are formed.
Ms. Priya urged students to recognise that they are not merely potential victims or perpetrators but also bystanders who have the power to intervene. She introduced the SRS model – Stop, Report and Speak, encouraging students to actively respond when they witness bullying or ragging instead of remaining silent. She also highlighted the importance of redefining “jokes” and “fun” by recognising when humour crosses the boundary of another person’s dignity.
The programme also recognised the creative efforts of students through an Anti-Ragging Competition. Students participated in Short Film, Poster Making, Slogan Writing, and Debate competitions, using their creativity to spread the message of a ragging-free campus.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi, expressing gratitude to the speakers, students, organisers, and participants. Overall, the programme served as a powerful reminder that preventing ragging is not solely the responsibility of authorities, but a collective responsibility that begins with every student choosing to respect, speak up, and stand together.
Reporter- Amna Shamim, Zinat Hassan
Photographer- Sagar Dey, Agrag Ghosh
