Issue of ragging in Indian educational institutions
The Supreme Court of India has given a more comprehensive meaning of ragging as under:
"Ragging is 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 student, indulging in rowdy or indisciplined activities which cause or are likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the psyche of a fresher or a junior student."
Worst forms of Ragging
Verbal Torture
Sexual Abuse
Drug Abuse
Satisfaction Of Sadistic Pleasures
Consequences of Ragging
May leave a permanent scar in the victim's mind that may haunt him for years to come.
It demoralizes the victim who joins college life with many hopes and expectations.
Physical assault and grievous injuries
Causes grave psychological stress and trauma to the victim.
Those who succumb to ragging may drop out thereby hampering their career prospects.
Suicides and culpable homicide.
Prevention of ragging Supreme Court guidelines
Anti-Ragging movements to be initiated by all colleges and educational institutes right from the time of advertisement for admissions.
Undertakings to be taken both from the freshmen and their parents/ guardians that they are aware of the institution’s approach towards ragging and the punishment to which he or she shall be liable if found guilty of ragging.
Notices to be issued indicating where to approach for redressal in case of ragging.
Management, principles and the teaching staff to have personal interaction with the freshmen and take them in confidence by apprising them of their right as well as obligation to fight against ragging.
Ragging prone zones such as the canteen, the playground, etc. shall be identified and carefully guarded.
Migration certificates to mention whether the student ever indulged in ragging.
Withdrawal of financial assistance to institutes where ragging incidents are reported.
Government's Steps against Ragging
Every single incident of ragging or abetting in ragging puts an obligation on the institution to get the FIR registered.
There are provisions in the IPC, which can be used by a student to register an FIR in the nearest police station.
UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009:
The objective of these guidelines is to ensure completely wiping and prohibiting the activities of ragging.
These regulations mandate every college responsibilities to curb the menace of ragging, including strict pre-emptive measures, like lodging freshers in a separate hostel, surprise raids especially at nights by the anti-ragging squad and submission of affidavits by all senior students and their parents taking oath not to indulge in ragging.
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