Ragging in Sainik / Military Schools
Stray incidents of ragging and bullying have been reported from Sainik / Military Schools in the past. A total of 15 incidents have been reported since last three years. As per records available in the last three years one student left the Rashtriya Military School, Ajmer due to ragging.
A voluntary organization, Jharkhand Human Rights Movement had approached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights regarding ragging incident in Sainik School, Tilaiya. The Commission asked the Ministry of Defence to get the matter investigated and to take further necessary action.
In the case of the incident of mass ragging at Sainik School, Tilaiya, the Chairman, Local Board of Administration, Madhya Bharat, Jabalpur conducted a formal Court of Inquiry into the whole incident and specifically on the role of the school administration. Ex-cadets directly involved in manhandling of cadets as seen in the media video clipping were summoned through Magistrate. SP, Koderma has lodged an FIR against the two boys. Case has been filed against them under the provisions of Juvenile Act in the Court of Law. After considering the entire gamut of the case, Competent Authority at Service Headquarters has approved counselling in writing of the then Principal and Registrar of Sainik School, Tilaiya.
The Jharkhand Human Rights Movement also approached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights regarding a second case of a boy who left the school on 27.03.2009 and has not returned since. He cited the fear of ragging as the reason for his not doing so, but no complaints were received at that time.
The second case has also been enquired into. The enquiry report has concluded that the reason for the boy’s sudden departure from the school was his homesickness and his father’s ill-health. The father has confirmed in writing that he has no complaints against the school.
In Sainik Schools and Rashtriya Military Schools, strict action has always been taken against the perpetrators in all reported and observed cases of ragging. Based on the gravity of the matter, suitable action is taken such as counselling, community service, revocation of appointment, suspension and in extreme cases expulsion. Fresh directives have been issued by the Sainik Schools Society to Principals of Sainik Schools on 07th March, 2012 and again on 03rd September, 2012 in order to further augment the overall discipline of cadets in Sainik Schools.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri BhismaShanker AliasKushalTiwari in Lok Sabha today.
DM/VP/HH