The High Court has ordered the formation of anti-ragging committees in all colleges and universities across Bangladesh to curb ragging and implement the Ministry of Education’s anti-ragging guidelines.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Sashanka Shekhar Sarkar issued the directive on Wednesday as it disposed of a writ petition on the matter.
Earlier, Advocate Ishrat Hasan filed the writ petition.
Previously, on October 9, 2019, Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan sent a legal notice to the University Grants Commission and other relevant authorities, urging action against ragging in educational institutions.
The notice demanded the formation of anti-ragging committees to provide continuous support to students and anti-ragging squads to monitor and take necessary actions within seven days.
At that time, Ishrat told reporters that many young students, who joined universities with high hopes, fell victim to ragging by seniors.
When the notice went unanswered, she filed a writ petition in the High Court, which led to the issuance of the rule.
Ragging refers to the mistreatment, humiliation or harassment of new or junior students by their seniors. It can escalate into severe forms of abuse, where the newcomers may endure psychological or physical torment.