“Ragging” of freshmen at halls in Jahangirnagar University is a very common phenomenon. The new entrants are often forced to stay awake late at night and are subject to extreme abuse, humiliation and harassment by senior students starting from midnight. The young students are often left traumatised.

Recently, a fresher underwent so much stress that he couldn't even recognise his parents later. Having been tortured mentally, he fell sick and was rushed to the hospital. And it is not only freshmen who are harmed. Students have criticised the phenomenon arguing that it also disrupts the environment which is needed for education.

It is high time that university authorities take stern measures against this cruelty. Such practice has no place in a civilised academic environment.

Md.Shihabun Sakib, By e-mail