The debate in Andhra Pradesh Assembly today on ragging in educational institutions turned into a war of words between the ruling TDP and Opposition YSR Congress (YSRC), while the Government promised tough measures to curb the menace.
R K Roja (YSRC), who put a question on the suicide of a girl student in Acharya Nagarjuna University allegedly due to ragging, claimed that atrocities on women increased after the TDP-led Government came to power last year.
The Government did not act appropriately on the Principal of the college in which the girl committed suicide in July, she alleged.
Dismissing her allegations, TDP's V Anita said the Government acted quickly and the accused (three students booked for abetting suicide) were arrested.
A committee of officials was constituted to look into the incident and the report was obtained in a few days, she said, adding, the YSR Congress should not try to politicise the death of the girl student.
Deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa said senior police officers would conduct counselling sessions in educational institutions against ragging.
HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said the Government is taking measures to see to it that those found indulging in ragging are thrown out of colleges and not even able to continue their education.
College managements would also be made accountable if ragging incidents take place in their campuses, he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, where the student committed suicide, has been changed, he said.
The girl's parents appreciated the measures taken by the Government, Rao added.
