Bullying by any other name is exactly that—bullying

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Days after the death of a first-year Bengali student in Kolkata's Jadavpur University, debate is still on about how ragging has become endemic in our education system and why there is a very thin line between ragging and criminal intimidation.

An 18-year-old student from Nadia district Bengal has died allegedly by suicide after jumping off a height. While investigations are on, and arrests made with ex students and others talking about the ragging culture ostensibly entrenched across institutions, it is time to look beyond education and weigh in on how ‘ragging' which may be given another name in other spheres is part of our society.

Ragging does not just exist in educational institutions. It is present in different aspects of life, too. Take for instance, marriages. Here, ragging is given other names like having fun or teasing. The girls or the boys side whatever you may call it, gangs up to tease the other. While much of this is light, there are times when this teasing crosses the line between fun and bullying. All through, the target has to smile through it, as there is the fear of being termed too sensitive, a spoilsport or not understanding that this is part of the custom.

On playgrounds and in building societies when kids play, there is bullying and if not escalated to physical acts, this is passed off as part of growing up. While some of that may be true, there are times when words can be weapons and leave deep scars. Verbal taunting, mocking or othering is bullying or ragging too. The newbie in the group or out to play is ragged, which is couched as teasing.

Then, there is the workplace ragging which may take on another dimension, but may be present in some places. It is individuals who need to be taught right and wrong and where exactly to draw the line. Do not sugar-coat or be an apologist for ragging, no matter where or under what guise it takes place.