Ragging

Sarvani was getting ready for college. She had been hearing rumours about the new principal but she was still not sure that they were entirely true. She had been representing the college in the National Level Inter-Collegiate Classical Singing Competition. She had faced very stiff competition and had managed a consolation prize. She had missed the meeting as she was travelling home. She just couldn’t believe what her sister had told her.

So she was a bit pre-occupied as she stepped into the college and walked towards her class. She had chosen to wear her favourite half saree as it was her birthday. She had gone to the temple earlier in the day and had taken the blessings of her parents. Little did she know that she was about to experience her worst nightmares.

********

Hakim, Robert, Rajeev, and a few other boys were sitting on their bikes under the mango tree near the entrance. It was the de-facto base of this gang that was notorious for their horrible deeds. They had been expelled from the college a few years back due to the torrent of complaints hitting the anti-ragging committee. As soon as the new principal had taken charge, he had revoked their expulsion and reinstated them in the college. Now, they were waiting for their prey.

“The quality of fresh stuff is decreasing every year.”

“Yeah, true bro. It is getting boring these days.”

“I wish we had some real excitement like we used to.”

“Remember Christie?”

“Now, that was one huge bundle of fun! We need more such bags to spice up our lives.”

“How about that half-saree there?” the others whistled as they saw Sarvani walk towards the academic block.

“Super! This is going to be fun!” the boys looked excited.

“Hey, come here!”

“You half saree! Are you deaf?” Sarvani looked around and realised she was the only one in a half saree. She turned towards the boys - if they could be called boys - they looked more like thugs rather than college students.

“Come here!”

“Why?”

“Hasn’t anyone taught you how to behave with seniors?”

“So, you are the ones who got expelled from college!” realisation appeared on her face. “I don’t obey those who have nothing to do with our college. Go to hell.”

She swiftly walked away before they could recover. However, one of them made to go after her, but Hakim stopped him. “Let her go, bro. I know where she’s going.”

“Do you think she will go to the principal?”

“Who else would she go to? And it would be great to see the look on her face when he calls us.”

“Yeah. That would be great.”

Nothing happened. They had been waiting for an hour and still the expected summons had not come. They were perplexed and decided to investigate. By that time everyone had gone to their classes.

It took them more than an hour to trace the girl in the half saree. They had started their search from the principal’s chambers and had drawn a blank there. Of course they didn’t dare enter his office. Instead they had satisfied themselves with a sneak peek. They had then made a systematic search in the academic block looking into each classroom. Not knowing her name had made their task even more difficult, for, they had found quite a few girls wearing half sarees.

They had finally managed to locate her in the English class. The lecturer was teaching something about Shakespeare.

“Shakespeare’s plays usually reflect the social conflicts of the day set in a past era. He made use of historical events in the past to comment on the issues prevailing in his time. Thus he was able to escape the censure of the crown. He....”

“Excuse me sir.” The lecturer looked at the group of unruly looking boys with a frown. He knew that they had been reinstated and hence he had to listen even if he didn’t want to. He simply looked at them to explain themselves. Seeing that he wouldn’t speak, Hakim spoke. “Sir, we need to deal with that girl in the half saree. She insulted us. With your permission, we would like to teach her a lesson.”

The lecturer looked angry, ready to tell them off but seemed to control himself with great effort. “Make it quick.” He eventually spat out. The boys entered the class and looked at everyone. Hakim, who seemed to be the de-facto spokesperson of the gang, addressed the class. “Do you know who we are?” everyone gulped nervously. “Speak!”

“You are the members of the anti-ragging committee.” A boy spoke from the corner.

“Yes. And today we will show the girls what happens when they insult the members of the ARC.” He fixed his gaze on the girl they had been looking for since 10 am. “You! Come here.” He commanded. She got up knowing she had no choice. This was the first indication that the tales were indeed true. She cursed herself for not believing her mother as she slowly walked to the teacher’s dais near the blackboard.

“What is your name?”

“Sarvani.”

“What did you say to us?”

“.....”

“Speak!”

“I am sorry.”

He turned to his buddies. “Did she say that?”

“Of course not!” he turned to the girl who was now standing with her head hung to avoid eye contact. She still hadn’t realised the gravity of the situation she was in.

“I need you to tell the class the exact words you spoke when you left us.” He spoke slowly as if speaking to a being with miniscule intelligence.

“I – I said..... Go to hell.” The class gasped. Even the lecturer appeared surprised. He looked at her as if she had grown a pair of horns on her head. However the girl was still unaware of this. She was either stupid or extremely brave. The class couldn’t decide which.

“We have gone to hell and hence we shall give you a taste of what hell looks like.” He looked at the class again. “Girls, let this be a lesson to you. Any girl who dares to oppose a senior shall face the same fate as this girl. He nodded at his friends who proceeded to disrobe her completely. All her protests and appeals for help fell on deaf ears. Even her curses couldn’t rouse anyone to come to her aid. As she stood shivering in front of everyone in a vain attempt to cover her modesty, Hakim spoke again. “She shall remain like this for the next 10 days. Any girl who tries to give her clothes will also have her clothes burnt like this.” He lit a fire turning Sarvani’s clothes into a pile of ashes. “Boys who give her clothes will be punished severely. Any boys who want to become familiar with her assets can submit an application to any of us.”

They left the room leaving Sarvani mortified.