Karnataka issues circular banning ragging

BANGALORE, SEPT 5: The Karnataka government today issued a circular banning ragging in colleges and hostels, besides spelling out stringent punitive measures including fine and prison terms to those involving in such acts. Minister for Higher Education G. Parameshwara said here that a similar circular had been issued in 1997 and its re-issuance today displayed the government8217;s commitment to eradicate the 8220;social evil8221;.

Barring a lone incident of ragging reported during 1998-1999 in a college in Manipal in which two students were dismissed, the state had no reports of recurrence of 8220;the evil practice8221;, he told reporters.