The first year students at SMHS Higher Secondary School in Patharam, in Kerala, were in for a rude shock when their seniors, standard 12 students, decided to welcome them by issuing rape threats on a billboard. A group of senior students at the educational institution put up a huge hoarding, in which they threatened the newcomers of rape and physical violence.

The 15-16 year-olds had set up flex boards outside the premises with pictures of pornstars Johnny Sins and Sunny Leone. The pictures were accompanied by explicit messages, where the students warned of dire physical consequences if the newcomers didn't show loyalty to the seniors. The rough translation of the message in Malayalam read, “We will break your diaphragm if you people cross the limit. If you are not loyal to us, beware, there are rape experts amongst us.”

The threats of sexual assaults came to the fore when one of the teachers had shared the images of the billboards on his Facebook account. In his post on Facebook, Sarath had urged the concerned authorities to protect junior students. Also, the teacher had also asked them to punish those students who had installed the billboards in the first place.

Soon after, the images went viral on different social media platforms; be it Twitter, Facebook, or even WhatsApp. People on social media condemned and criticized the act heavily.  The students who have indulged in such activities can be punished under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, under which they can be suspended or dismissed by the management.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 01:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).