Video of Kerala ‘Ragging’ Horror Emerges; Police Investigating Further Victims and Possible Collusion by Authorities
Kottayam, Kerala, February 14, 2025 — A disturbing video of an alleged ragging incident at the government nursing college in Kottayam, Kerala, has emerged, drawing widespread outrage. The video shows a first-year student being physically assaulted by senior students. In response, police have launched an investigation into the incident, which includes the possibility of more victims and the potential involvement of college authorities.
The incident came to light following a complaint made by the victim on February 11, 2025, when he reported the alleged assault to the college authorities, who in turn alerted the police. Five senior students from the nursing college were arrested on the same day. They have been charged with causing harm, criminal intimidation, and extortion, under sections of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act. The police have also noted that the accused were part of the Kerala Government Student Nurses Association (KGSNA), a student group with no political affiliation.
Details of the Incident
The incidents of ragging reportedly took place over the course of several months, from November 16, 2024, to February 10, 2025. The ragging began with the seniors demanding money from the junior student through online transactions. However, the situation escalated when the accused allegedly threatened the student and even placed a knife to his neck, accusing him of not showing them enough respect.
The video that circulated on February 13 depicted a disturbing scene of the complainant being bound by his hands and feet while the seniors used a sharp object, said to be a compass from a geometry set, to assault him. In the video, the victim can be heard crying out in pain, while the senior students can be heard laughing. The seniors also reportedly forced the victim to consume lotion, further escalating the cruelty of the act.
The victim’s father expressed his shock upon learning about the incident only after his son made the complaint to the college authorities. He revealed that his son had suffered in silence, and although other students had gone through similar abuse, they were too scared to report the matter. “Many students have faced a similar experience, but they are all afraid of speaking out,” he said.
Police Investigating Further
The Kottayam Police have confirmed that the victim is the only one to have officially complained thus far. However, they are now looking into the possibility that there may be more victims who have yet to come forward. Shahul Hameed, the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Kottayam, stated that authorities are interviewing other students to see if more cases of ragging occurred and are also trying to trace the person who recorded and shared the video. Hameed added that the police are investigating whether the authorities at the college, including the hostel warden, were complicit in the incident or failed to act on the complaints.
College and Student Organization Response
Following the arrests, the college suspended the five accused students, who were all members of the KGSNA. One of the arrested students held a prominent position as the state general secretary of the organization. The KGSNA is an independent student group, unaffiliated with any political party, making this incident particularly noteworthy within the context of Kerala’s politically charged campus environment, which often sees student organizations tied to major political groups such as the SFI (Students’ Federation of India) and KSU (Kerala Students’ Union).
The Kerala Government Nursing College has been under scrutiny for its handling of the matter, with police looking into how the administration responded to the victim’s initial complaint. The incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures at educational institutions in Kerala, despite the state having strict laws prohibiting such behavior.
Public Outcry and Consequences
The video, once it went viral, sparked widespread condemnation across the state. Many people, especially from the educational and medical sectors, have condemned the shocking behavior of the senior students, highlighting the psychological and emotional damage such incidents can cause to the victims. Ragging, though outlawed in India, continues to plague many campuses, with new cases frequently emerging despite stringent anti-ragging laws.
The state government, including the Education Minister of Kerala, has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, but the police and the public are demanding swift action and greater oversight in tackling such cases.
Ragging in Kerala: A Persistent Problem
Kerala has long grappled with incidents of ragging in its colleges, despite strict legislative efforts to curb the practice. The Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act was put in place to create a safer environment for students, but reports like this suggest that the culture of bullying and harassment persists in some institutions. Previous cases have also shown that ragging can escalate into violent incidents, sometimes leading to lasting psychological scars or even deaths.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation progresses, authorities are focusing on identifying whether other students were involved in the abuse or if this was an isolated incident. Additionally, there will be a concerted effort to hold those responsible for allowing or enabling the ragging accountable, including investigating the role of any college staff members who may have turned a blind eye to the abuse.
The Kottayam ragging case serves as a grim reminder of the continuing menace of ragging in educational institutions across the country. It raises important questions about the mechanisms in place for student welfare and the accountability of college authorities in handling complaints related to student abuse.
Conclusion
The Kottayam ragging incident has sent shockwaves through Kerala and beyond, sparking a renewed conversation about the need for stronger measures to protect students from harassment. The police’s ongoing investigation will hopefully shed light on any broader issues within the college and the community, while also encouraging more victims to come forward and speak out about their experiences. If proven that college authorities were complicit, this case could set a precedent for stricter accountability in dealing with ragging incidents in the future.