Campus Violence

 

Introduction:

Campus Violence can be in the form of sexual harassment, ragging, caste or political fights which often result in death or serious injury. Educational institutions which are supposed to brighten students on social vices and enrich their knowledge and morality have been struggling to curb the tragedy of campus violence.

A.      CASTE CLASHES:

Caste discrimination is deeply rooted in the Indian society, and it always results in violence whose manifestations are seen in College campuses, especially those situated in rural and sub-urban areas. Caste-based discrimination often appears in higher education institutions. Caste violence can either outbreak as ragging and harassment of cornered students or as armed clashes amongst students. More members of the lower castes than ever are entering higher educational institutions in India. To help the lower caste groups, the Indian government created a reservation system, an affirmative action program that enables more members of lower castes to pursue higher education through scholarships and other benefits. Students from these lower castes often experience social rejection, discrimination, and prejudice, even from those classmates who consider themselves sympathetic to the lower castes. As higher education becomes more accessible, equity and equality remains elusive. The constant harassment of Dr Payal Tadvi who belonged to a Scheduled Tribe, by her seniors resulted in her killing herself is one such example. The 2008 armed clash between two caste groups in the Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University is one of the vilest in the history of campus violence. Caste is always being a primary cause for the outbreak of violence at universities and college. In a country like India, where we have diverse communities, proper social programs must be conducted in order to bring the unity between the students.

 

B.      POLITICAL CLASHES:

India is a politically aware country with its youth actively participating in political activities. However, with the increasing instances of politically motivated assaults and murders by students, we are forced to reconsider banning political activities inside campuses. Kerala, where student politics is an integral part of campus life, is seeing increased intolerance and violence perpetuated by student politicians. The SFI and ABVP who are student political parties have clashed in many instances resulting in bloodshed. Clashes are often between political groups belonging to the Left and Right-wing parties. Student wings of the political parties are being misused to stifle dissent amounts to violence. Banning student unions alone cannot solve the issue of campus violence. Student agitations can help the good movements of society as well.

 

C.      Consumption of Alcohol:

Drinking on college campuses has become a standard pastime. Every year, more alcohol related incidents are reported on college campuses nationwide. And as these numbers go up, so do the reported cases of campus violence. Small differences over trivial issues amounts to violent situations when combined with drug and alcohol. Alcohol consumption is often being the reason for violent behaviors in students in and around the college. Alcohol is an important factor that can trigger violent behaviors and is an important cause of violence-related injuries.

 

D.      RAGGING:

It started as a friendly, ice-breaker between juniors and seniors gradually turned into an abusive, inhumane practice of seniors humiliating their juniors, using verbally and physically abusive activities such as beating, punching, forcing juniors to do unwanted activities, etc. At times students have been brutally killed in the name of ragging or forced to commit suicide. Ragging is also used as a means to aid caste discrimination or sexual harassment on the campus. After several instances of ragging ending in death, several State Governments and the Central Government had enacted legislation criminalising ragging, the Indian Penal Code and other specific laws have provisions prohibiting  ragging. As per UGC Regulations, every university should constitute an Anti-Ragging Committee and every student at the time of admission should submit an affidavit stating that he will not participate in any kind of ragging activity and also the institution should publish the names and contact numbers of the Anti-Ragging Committee members.

 

E.       SEXUAL HARASSMENT:

 Due to the societal attitude towards sexual harassment, victims hesitate to come forward to complain against their harassers, especially if it is of fiduciary nature like a student-teacher relationship. Sexual harassment on the campus is a widespread issue, the victims are often silenced by the fear of being shamed. The UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015 lays down the responsibilities of educational institutions in preventing sexual harassment in their campuses. Every institution should constitute an Internal Complaints Committee which is presided by a woman staff. Regular sensitization programs for employees and students should be held. The institution should take all measures to prevent sexual harassment and misconduct by all of its employees, students, chief guests and visitors.

 

Conclusion:

Ensuring a safer campus environment may make students and teachers feel physically, psychologically, and emotionally free and enable them to more comfortably express themselves.

During adolescence, which is an interim period between childhood and adulthood, acquiring a new identity and expressing the desire to make society accept this new identity or psychology that is developed by encountering a hard time, which they had not previously experienced, may have caused these results. Violence, which is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among adolescents, is a public health problem that is commonly seen worldwide. There is no single factor that can explain violence. These behaviors emerge as a result of an interaction between various factors. Therefore proper laws must be enactment with respect to combat the issue of campus violence. The Clery Act in America can be taken as a good example for formulating laws in India.