Allegations of Ragging Surface at JNV Palghar, Maharashtra: Concerns Raised Over Student Safety

 **Allegations of Ragging Surface at JNV Palghar, Maharashtra: Concerns Raised Over Student Safety**

In Maharashtra, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Palghar is facing allegations of ragging, as approximately 35 senior students in the 11th grade are accused of ragging around 6 junior students residing in the hostel. The incident allegedly involved physical and mental harassment, resulting in injuries, including one student suffering injuries to their ear. The parents of the affected student were alerted, and the child had to be taken to an ENT specialist for medical attention.

The ragging incident occurred on the night of September 30th at the residential hostel of JNV Palghar. Senior students summoned 10th-grade students to a hall within the hostel known as "Udaygiri House." Those students who arrived late were reportedly subjected to physical abuse, including slaps, and some were even hit on their private parts and knees. After a while, the junior students were sent back to their rooms. However, late at night, they were called again and subjected to further physical harassment. The senior students' actions left the junior students traumatized.

One of the junior students sustained significant injuries to their ear during the ordeal and had to be urgently attended to by the school nurse. Subsequently, the parents of the affected student were informed about the incident. An ENT specialist diagnosed a severe injury to the student's ear.

In response to these disturbing events, the student's father filed a complaint against the school principal. Following the initial complaint, several other parents gathered at the school on Saturday, October 7th, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.

As of now, the school administration has taken action, forming a committee to investigate the ragging incident. The principal acknowledged that during the incident, neither the hostel authorities nor the duty staff members informed the school administration. CCTV footage from the corridors is being scrutinized to gather more evidence regarding the incident.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued anti-ragging guidelines for schools on March 9, 2015, with the aim of preventing such incidents. The anti-ragging committee should ideally comprise the school's vice-principal, a senior teacher, a doctor, a counselor, a PTA representative, a school management representative, a legal representative, and teachers.

However, JNV Palghar reportedly lacks an anti-ragging committee, and instead, it has an ad-hoc committee that includes the principal and four housemasters. There is no record available of any anti-bullying-ragging committee meetings, and contact information for the members is not visibly displayed within the school premises.

The school administration has admitted that they did not organize any anti-ragging sessions or workshops or invite a counselor to address the issue. 

JNV Palghar houses 12 housemasters who are assisted by 12 associate housemasters responsible for the care of around 40 students. Each residential block accommodates 24 students. There is also a multitasking staff member who provides overnight supervision for the boys to attend to their needs and ensure their well-being. Concerns over student safety and the school's response to the incident continue to be a matter of utmost importance and scrutiny.