The Bhawanipur Education Society College observed Anti-Ragging Week from 12th to 19th August 2026, bringing together students through a series of awareness-driven activities aimed at encouraging a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment. The week featured an Anti-Ragging Seminar, an Annual Debate and a Nukkad Natak, each approaching the issue of ragging in a different and engaging way.

The week began on 12th August with the awareness programme “Say No to Ragging”, held at the Concept Hall from 10:30 a.m. onwards. The programme opened with an oath-taking ceremony led by Prof. Minakshi Chaturvedi, Vice Principal of the Department of Commerce (Morning). Students pledged to stand against bullying, harassment and mistreatment while upholding 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 spoke about how films and popular media sometimes portray bullying and ragging as harmless, which can contribute to their normalisation. He also highlighted the serious consequences of ragging, including psychological trauma, and discussed how it has increasingly extended into digital spaces. The discussion also touched upon identity-based harassment involving caste, religion, colour and other characteristics.

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 how such experiences can have effects that continue long after college. She encouraged students to see themselves not only as potential victims or perpetrators but also as bystanders who can choose to intervene. Her SRS model – Stop, Report and Speak – encouraged students to act instead of remaining silent when they witness bullying or ragging.

The programme also featured an Anti-Ragging Competition, where students participated in Short Film, Poster Making, Slogan Writing and Debate competitions to communicate the message of a ragging-free campus.

The second major activity was the Annual Anti-Ragging Debate, held on 11th August at the Concept Hall, just before the formal week-long observance. With more than 40 speakers, the debate revolved around the motion: “This House believes that ‘playful’ bullying and ‘harmless’ teasing is a myth and is equivalent to ragging and should be punishable.” Judged by Debapriya Mukherjee, the discussion encouraged students to question where the line between harmless teasing and harmful behaviour lies. Participants presented contrasting viewpoints while discussing boundaries, consequences and individual responsibility.

On 15th August, the message was taken beyond conventional discussions through a Nukkad Natak (street play) centred on anti-ragging. The performance brought the issue into a more public and accessible setting, using theatre to communicate the consequences of ragging and the importance of speaking up against it.

Together, these activities made Anti-Ragging Week more than an awareness campaign. From legal and psychological discussions to debate and street theatre, students were encouraged to understand the issue from different perspectives and, most importantly, recognise their own role in preventing it.

The week concluded with a simple but important message: creating a safe campus is not the responsibility of one person or one authority. It begins with every student choosing respect, speaking up and standing together.

Winners

The winners of the above-mentioned events are as follows:

Short Film

Angelina Ferguson & Team

Poster Making

1st – Shubham Prasad
2nd – Pratigya Yadav & Sharadia Mitra
3rd – Tejas Bhattacharjee

Special Mentions: Raj Chandgothia, Avika Jaiswal & Yashi Pandya

Slogan Writing

1st – Bijetree Ray
2nd – Shubhodeep Saha
3rd – Debarati Basu

Special Mentions: Tanishq Sharma, Tithi Mitra & Gunjika Aich

Debate

For the Motion
1st – Insiya Aktari
2nd – Zuveria Naaz
3rd – Priyasha Ray & Krish Chowdhury

Against the Motion
1st – Hiya Vasa
2nd – Kahkasha Tanveer
3rd – Shivans Bhura