Kerala ragging case | 'Proactive, rather than reactive, approach to ragging needed': Noted psychiatrist C.J. John

Kerala has witnessed several brutal and sadistic ragging incidents in recent years, including the death of Sidharthan J.S., a veterinary student at Pookode College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, who endured eight months of ragging, reportedly at the hands of students, including Student Federation of India (SFI) leaders.

Just three weeks ago, a school student in Ernakulam allegedly died by suicide due to severe ragging. And this week, disturbing reports emerged from Government Nursing College in Kottayam, where seniors allegedly stripped juniors, tortured them with compasses, and hung dumbbells from their private parts.

Dr C.J. John

THE WEEK spoke to Dr C.J. John, senior consultant psychiatrist at the Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, to understand the personality types of culprits in ragging cases and also the measures that we can employ to prevent ragging incidents. Excerpts:

Q/ What are the characteristics of youth who engage in sadistic ragging? What societal patterns contribute to such incidents?

A/ Sadism is a personality disorder characterised by a lack of empathy, pleasure in others' suffering, aggression, violence, and disregard for others' feelings. People with such personality traits have always existed and will continue to do so. Additionally, society often normalises anger and violence through movies, politics, and other mediums, creating an environment that can desensitise individuals to such behaviour. Newcomers are being exposed to this larger, normalised canvas, leading to the acceptance of practices like ragging as a form of initiation.

This normalisation is particularly concerning in professions like medicine and nursing, where ragging is mistakenly perceived as necessary for personality conditioning. There is a false notion that enduring such experiences builds the mental toughness required for these fields. However, conditioning individuals to tolerate sadism is misguided and harmful.

Q/ What leads to the development of such personality traits? Despite having anti-ragging laws, sadistic ragging continues to occur. What can be done to prevent it?

A/ It is unrealistic to eradicate people with such personality traits, as they often come from adverse family environments marked by violence, neglect, or a lack of love and regard. Therefore, the focus should be on managing situations with high vulnerability to ragging-related violence. The first three to four months of joining are critical risk periods. During this time, there are both victims and perpetrators.

Most anti-ragging measures focus on victims reporting incidents, which is a reactionary approach. However, a proactive strategy involves identifying potential perpetrators well in advance. These individuals often exhibit warning signs, such as irregular class attendance, violent behaviour in interpersonal relationships, past problem behaviours, or substance abuse issues. By mapping these behavioural patterns, institutions can place these individuals under surveillance to prevent ragging incidents.

Q/ Are you suggesting that the approach should shift from reactive to proactive?

A/ A reactive, punitive approach can be taken against ragging, but a more effective strategy involves proactive intervention. Identifying high-risk individuals in advance, placing them under surveillance, and issuing clear warnings—such as the potential loss of their career or future—can serve as a deterrent. This targeted intervention requires consistent monitoring and correction, making it a long-term approach to prevention.

Currently, anti-ragging cells exist on campuses but are often inactive after making initial announcements. They typically function reactively, without proactive measures. A common argument against victims is, “Why can’t they complain? Aren’t they grown-ups?” This mindset ignores the underlying fear and social pressures that discourage reporting.

Preventing ragging requires a comprehensive approach. Potential perpetrators can be identified through past incidents or abnormal classroom behaviour. However, a significant issue in Kerala is that many of these individuals have political affiliations. This political backing makes it difficult for campus authorities to take decisive action, as political pressure often hinders enforcement.

Addressing ragging requires moving beyond political considerations. Those causing problems—regardless of their political connections—should be placed under scrutiny. Even junior students showing problematic behaviour should be warned and encouraged to correct themselves. It’s crucial not to hesitate in taking corrective actions, as early intervention can prevent more severe issues later on.

Q/ You talked about the normalisation of violence, especially in films.

A/ There are patterns emerging in how violence is portrayed in web series and movies, with increasingly cruel and graphic expressions. While it’s unclear if the prevalence of violence itself is rising, the intensity and cruelty certainly are. This is reflected in ragging incidents as well, where the sadism and cruelty displayed are often beyond what a sensitive person can comprehend. This extreme behaviour indicates a deeper psychopathology, which doesn’t end with ragging but continues as a persistent personality issue.

Q/ Now, these perpetrators of ragging would end up in jail. Will they get a correction or counselling there?

A/ Unfortunately, jails are not the ideal corrective environment. In fact, they often expose individuals to hardened criminals, increasing their vulnerability to fall into a cycle of crime, including theft and other offences.

This highlights the need for a different corrective mechanism. If proactive intervention can identify individuals [who are highly likely to commit such offences], the incidence of ragging could significantly decrease. Even if only a few respond positively, it would be a step towards change.

Currently, the paradigm focuses on two categories: victim and perpetrator. Awareness and action peak only when an incident occurs, often leading to a reactionary narrative that solely blames the perpetrators. This limited perspective fails to address the root causes and overlooks preventive measures. A more comprehensive approach is needed to truly tackle the issue of ragging and its underlying psychological dimensions.

Q/ What is your advice for higher education institutions?

A/ A long-term corrective mechanism is crucial during the first three months after newcomers are admitted to campus, as this is a high-risk period for ragging. A multi-level monitoring system is needed, but this aspect is often overlooked.

Ragging incidents frequently occur in the presence of bystanders who lack the confidence or awareness to intervene. It’s essential to empower these witnesses to report what they see. Many witnesses or victims remain silent because they lack confidence in the campus authorities' ability to protect them. They fear retaliation or even intensified ragging if they speak up.

Building trust in the campus’s protective measures is essential. If students feel secure in reporting incidents, it can significantly reduce the occurrence of ragging. This requires not just surveillance but also a supportive, corrective environment. The goal should be to help at-risk individuals evolve into better persons rather than simply punishing them. A sensitive, proactive approach can make the campus a safer and more positive space for everyone.