When Schools Become a Nightmare.

School Bullying in Kerala: A Silent yet Louder Crisis

"I Don’t Want to Go to School Tomorrow"

Not because of my unfinished homework or the test. But because of fear, the fear of being laughed at, whispered about and humiliated all over again. For many students, the school bus is not just a ride; it’s a battleground of isolation and taunts. Lost water bottles and missing notebooks may not always be careless mistakes, sometimes, they are deliberate acts of cruelty. Harmless, yet haunting. Walls that are supposed to feel like freedom, have become definitions of confinement.

When it gets out of hands

Bullying isn’t just harmless teasing, it can be relentless, brutal, and, at times, deadly. On January 15, Mihir Ahammed, a 15-year-old schoolboy from Kochi, took his own life after allegedly facing extreme ragging at his school. His mother, Rajna PM, revealed in a heartbreaking social media post that Mihir had been physically assaulted, verbally abused, and even forced to lick a toilet seat. His tragic end has sparked public outrage, reigniting urgent conversations about bullying in educational institutions.

Society mourns another life lost, another child gone too soon. But what about those still suffering? The ones enduring in silence, just one incident away from breaking? My heart aches for them, the next Mihir, whose pain remains unseen until it’s too late.

A Reality Too Many Face

Conversations with students in Kerala reveal a grim reality, bullying is not an isolated problem but a pervasive crisis. Many students report experiencing various forms of bullying, from verbal abuse to physical intimidation and cyberbullying. Some find themselves socially excluded, while others face relentless harassment that extends beyond school walls.

Despite the presence of anti-bullying policies in schools, students often hesitate to report incidents. Fear of retaliation, lack of trust in authorities, and the belief that nothing will change keep them silent. Many students describe a culture where bullying is normalized, dismissed as "just a phase," or worse, ignored by those in positions of power.

Students themselves proposed solutions to curb bullying: stricter punishments, awareness campaigns, increased teacher supervision, and the establishment of dedicated counseling services. These suggestions underscore the need for a multi-pronged approach that combines discipline with empathy and education.

More Than Just a ‘Rite of Passage’

Beyond Mihir’s case, recent incidents in Kerala highlight how deeply entrenched the culture of ragging remains. In Kannur, five Class 12 students were booked for assaulting a junior at a higher secondary school. In Kottayam, five college students were arrested for a brutal ragging incident at a nursing college. These cases, though horrifying, are not anomalies. They are just the ones that made it to the headlines. Countless others go unreported, unnoticed, or worse, ignored.

The roots of ragging are embedded in power structures within educational institutions. Seniority is weaponized, and ragging is normalized as a so-called rite of passage. Some believe that ragging is a rite of passage that helps young people to grow up and prepare for the harsh world outside. The ritual as believed is to break the ice between seniors and juniors, where it is sometimes viewed as a necessary "initiation ritual" marking their transition into the student community, even though it is considered harmful and unacceptable. Caste, class, and regional biases further compound the issue, with students from marginalized backgrounds frequently becoming targets. In some cases, ragging is less about hierarchy and more about cruelty—an assertion of dominance, a means to instill fear, or even an outlet for deep-seated frustrations.

Laws Exist, But Do They Work?

Despite laws prohibiting ragging, enforcement remains weak. The Raghavan Committee Report (2007), commissioned by the Supreme Court, defined ragging as "Any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any other student, indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student or asking the students to do any act or perform something which such student will not in the ordinary course and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche of a fresher or a junior student.”

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its order in May 2009 (order dated 08.05.2009 in Civil Appeal 887 of 2009 in the matter of University of Kerala versus Council, Principals’, Colleges, Kerala and Others), constituted a four member committee of mental health and public health professionals with the following terms of reference. (i) To ascertain the reasons and circumstances under which senior students resort to ragging; (ii) To ascertain the psychological impact of ragging on students; (iii) To assess and quantify the impact of ragging and indiscipline on the standard of education in an institution and relate it to the existing procedures used by MCI, UGC and other regulatory bodies to assess the suitability of an institution for recognition; (iv) To recommend urgent and mandatory mental health measures to be implemented in, and practiced by school, colleges, and all educational and vocational institutions, so as to curb ragging.  But little has changed. Schools and colleges continue to brush incidents under the carpet, prioritizing their image over student safety.

The Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, one of India’s strongest anti-ragging laws, lays out clear penalties:

• Up to two years of imprisonment

• A fine of ₹10,000

• Expulsion and a three-year ban on admission to any other institution

Yet, enforcement remains the biggest challenge. Many institutions downplay incidents to protect their reputation, leaving students vulnerable and unheard.

Breaking the Cycle of Curse?

Reducing ragging in schools requires more than just legal provisions. A cultural shift is needed. Schools must implement zero-tolerance policies, ensuring that students who engage in ragging face real consequences.

Schools should introduce anonymous reporting mechanisms, where victims can speak up without fear. Grievance cells and trained counselors should be available to provide mental health support. Teachers and staff need regular training to identify and intervene in bullying cases. Senior students should be encouraged to mentor juniors rather than harass them. Parental involvement in discussions about mental health and student safety is crucial. Increased teacher supervision and CCTV monitoring can help deter incidents in common areas. Student-led initiatives such as anti-bullying clubs and peer intervention programs should be the norm.

However, Punishment alone won’t solve the problem. Changing mindsets is key. Schools must conduct regular anti-ragging awareness programs to educate students on the long-term effects of bullying. A student-driven movement is crucial. Those surveyed suggested stricter punishments for bullies, awareness campaigns, and stronger intervention from teachers. Yet, policies alone are not enough. They must be implemented with sincerity and commitment, not as a mere formality.

Somewhere, a Student is Breaking

Mihir Ahammed’s death is not just another news report, it is a silent scream that echoes through every school corridor where a child walks with lowered eyes, hoping not to be noticed.

Somewhere, a student is sitting in an empty classroom, dreading the lunch break, knowing the taunts are waiting.

Somewhere, a young boy is staring at his phone, hands trembling as another cruel message pops up.

Somewhere, a girl is erasing her own presence, speaking less, existing less, just to survive another day.

How many more Mihirs must we lose before schools stop being battlefields?

Bullying and ragging are not just isolated incidents but deep-rooted issues that can leave lasting scars. Addressing them requires more than just rules, it calls for a culture shift, where schools become places of learning, respect, and emotional safety. Change begins not just with policies but with collective responsibility. Every student deserves a school where they feel safe, valued, and heard. But is this conversation only going to fade until we lose another Mihir?

This article was written in response to the growing crisis of bullying in schools. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t stay silent. Reach out. Speak up.