Allegations Surface: Ragging at IIULER Goa
The India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) in Goa has recently faced serious allegations of ragging involving its newly admitted students. According to a statement released by the 2023-28 batch on August 11, first-year students experienced intimidation, physical assault, and treatment that violated their dignity on August 9, marking a troubling start to their academic journey.
Condemnation and Accountability
The statement from the batch leaders strongly condemned the actions, emphasizing that the individuals responsible were members of the same batch. The statement made it clear that seniority does not grant any student authority over another’s body, dignity, or safety. It dismissed the incident as neither tradition nor harmless mischief, but as unequivocally wrong. The batch leaders asserted their commitment to accountability, stating that they would not interfere with or pre-empt the university’s official inquiry into the incident.
University’s Response and Investigation
When approached for comment, Rajnish, the Assistant Public Relations Officer (APRO) of IIULER, indicated that the university was not aware of such an incident. Efforts to obtain a statement from IIULER’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) R Venkata Rao, were unsuccessful.
Context and Recent Developments
This incident coincides with IIULER’s recent orientation event, Deeksharambh, which took place just two days prior. During this event, the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), Manan Kumar Mishra, announced plans to establish a National Legal Academy for mandatory lawyer training on the university’s campus. This announcement was intended to underscore the university’s commitment to legal education and professional development.
The ragging allegations have cast a shadow over the institution’s efforts to foster a welcoming and professional environment for its students. The university’s response and subsequent actions will be closely monitored as the inquiry unfolds, with many hoping for a resolution that upholds the values of safety and respect on campus.
