Waking up to the increase in incidents of violence and ragging complaints on campus,Panjab University has decided to deal strictly with guilty students from the new academic session. A fine of Rs 10,000 and expulsion from the hostel is the minimum punishment decided by the university authorities. Following the UGC guidelines,the university will expel any student found guilty of ragging. The minimum fine for ragging has been fixed at Rs 10,000 and can go up to Rs 2,50,000 depending upon the sensitivity of the case. In the new academic session,students joining the university will have to give a written undertaking,promising that they will not indulge in any violent activity on campus. Talking to Newsline,PU Vice-Chancellor Professor R C Sobti said: The decision regarding imposing a fine and expelling students found guilty of ragging or involved in violent acts will be extended to colleges as well. We are looking into the provision and soon the colleges will be notified about the provisions. During the last one year,several incidents of violence,including a clash right outside the Vice-Chancellors house,were reported. These cases have forced university authorities to adopt various measures to step up security on campus. Putting up drop gates,installation of CCTV cameras,hiring of security personnel and a ban on parking outside the Students Centre are among the few steps. Dean Students Welfare Professor Naval Kishore said: Looking at the rising number of cases related to ragging and violence in different educational institutes,the UGC has issued a few guidelines and we are abiding by them. As a part of this exercise,the names of those involved in ragging this session will be published in the prospectus with their pictures mentioning the punishment awarded to them. In the present academic session,five ragging cases were reported and seven students from the Theatre department were expelled in only one case. In all other cases,students were suspended both from the hostel as well as the university for a short period of time.
