Thiruvananthapuram: It is nearly two years since the UGC updated its anti-ragging policy in which discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identities was also included in what constituted ragging. But, according to a report published by Queerala, several universities in Kerala have not updated their anti-ragging policy. It is important that everyone on Kerala campuses knows about the updated policy, especially as the visibility of LGBTIQ community on the campuses is low, says Queerala founder Jijo Kuriakose.
To illustrate the importance of updating the anti-ragging policy, their report quotes a male homosexual student whose name was changed to Manish. When he informed the student political leaders about the update, they failed to understand its importance. Moreover, when he came out about his sexual orientation, his friends passed lewd comments. Activists feel that implementing the new policy can create a friendly atmosphere for people of all sexual orientation and gender identities to live as they are.
The websites of MG University, Kannur University, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala Health Sciences University, Kerala Agricultural University as well as Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University do not reflect the updated anti-ragging policy. The faculty at Cochin University claim to follow the updated anti-ragging policy, but their site does not reflect it. Its Youth Welfare Department Director P.K. Baby says that even though the site may not reflect it, they have been holding many awareness sessions where the updated definition of ragging is shared. In the next academic year, they plan to set up awareness boards on campuses expanding the definition of ragging.
Kerala University and Central University of Kerala are two universities whose websites reflect the updated policy. However, that does not mean that the information has been properly passed on to colleges. Principal Omana Pankan of University College, Thruvananthapuram, to whom DC spoke, was aware that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity was wrong, but was unaware that it constituted ragging. She said that no such case had come to her notice. On some campuses outside Kerala, LGBT organisations stuck posters saying that discrimination on sexual and gender minorities also constituted ragging, according to Jijo. Organisations are planning to do similar activities to make sure that campuses are LGBT-friendly.
