Cameron Miranda
Ragging is a term used for initiation rituals practised in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by senior students. Ragging has resulted in the deaths and suicides of many students, forcing the Indian Supreme Court to take a strong stance against it. Under Indian law, ragging is a punishable offence, and colleges and universities must take measures to prevent it. This paragraph will explore the definition of ragging, its prevalence, and the legal consequences associated with it in India.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Ragging is a form of bullying that involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by senior students. It is often referred to as an initiation ritual. |
| Legal Status | Ragging is considered a crime in India and is a punishable offence under various institutional and state laws. It is classified as a cognizable offence, meaning the police can arrest offenders without a warrant. |
| Punishment | Punishments for ragging include imprisonment, fines, expulsion or suspension from the institution, withholding of scholarships or other perks, and barring participation in activities. Colleges and universities are also obligated to take measures to prevent ragging and can face legal consequences if they fail to do so. |
| Reporting | Students can report ragging incidents anonymously to college authorities, a national helpline, or the police. Third parties can also make reports on behalf of students. |
| Examples | Ragging may include restricting a student's movement, locking them up, blackmail, intimidation, teasing, rude treatment, exploitation, lewd acts, causing bodily harm, insulting a student based on their appearance, dress, regionality, language, race, or caste, or forcing a student to do work. |
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What You'll Learn
Ragging is a punishable offence under Indian law
Ragging is a term used for the "initiation ritual" practised in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by senior students. Ragging often takes a malignant form, wherein newcomers may be subjected to psychological or physical torture.
In 2009, the University Grants Commission of India imposed regulations on Indian universities to curb ragging and launched a toll-free 'anti-ragging helpline'. Despite these measures, ragging has continued to take place in educational institutions.
Under the anti-ragging law, if a student is found guilty, they can face imprisonment for up to three years and a fine. The punishment may also include administrative actions such as suspension from the institution, withholding scholarships, and barring participation in activities. Additionally, colleges and universities have an obligation to take all measures to eliminate ragging, both within and outside their campuses. They must constitute authorities to handle ragging complaints, and failure to do so can result in legal consequences.
Some states in India have also implemented their own anti-ragging laws. For example, the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999, outlines punishments for students convicted of ragging, including imprisonment, fines, and dismissal from the educational institution.
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The definition of ragging in India
Ragging is a term used for "initiation rituals" practised in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new or junior students by senior students. In India, ragging is considered a crime and is punishable under different institutional and state laws.
In 2009, the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India imposed regulations on Indian universities to curb ragging and launched a toll-free anti-ragging helpline. The UGC requires universities to declare their intent to prevent ragging publicly and mandates students to sign an undertaking pledging not to engage in ragging activities. The UGC also outlines a procedure for educational institutions to handle ragging accusations, which may include suspending the accused students and conducting investigations.
The Indian Supreme Court has taken a strong stance against ragging, ruling that punishment for ragging should be exemplary and justifiably harsh to act as a deterrent. Ragging is a cognizable offence in India, meaning the police can arrest offenders without a warrant. While ragging is not a specific offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), it can be penalised under several provisions of the IPC, such as sections 339 (wrongful restraint), 340 (wrongful confinement), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), and others. The quantum of punishment varies with the gravity of the crime and can include imprisonment, fines, or both.
Additionally, educational institutions can impose administrative actions as punishment for ragging, such as suspension from the institution or classes, withholding scholarships, barring participation in activities, and withholding results. Students found guilty of ragging may also face legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines.
The definition of ragging, according to the Honourable Supreme Court of India, includes:
> 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 [sic] shame or embarrassment in a fresher or a junior student, adversely affecting their physique or psyche.
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Examples of ragging
Ragging is a form of abuse, humiliation, or harassment directed at newcomers or junior students by senior students in higher education institutions in India. It often takes a malignant form, subjecting newcomers to psychological or physical torture.
Physical Restraint and Intimidation
Restricting a student's movement or locking them up is an offence under Section 339 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. For example, obstructing a student's path to the college canteen can result in a jail term of up to one month and/or a fine of Rs. 500 under Section 341. If a student is tied to a tree and restrained, it is considered a crime under Section 340, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to Rs. 1000 under Section 342.
Blackmail and Intimidation
Ragging may involve subjecting a student to blackmail and intimidation, which can lead to psychological harm.
Teasing and Abusing
Teasing, abusing, or playing practical jokes on a student, causing them embarrassment or shame, falls under the definition of ragging.
Dangerous Activities
Ragging often involves forcing students to perform dangerous or humiliating activities. For example, in 2009, Aman Kachroo, a 19-year-old first-year student, was brutally beaten by drunk third-year students, resulting in his death from a brain haemorrhage.
Sexual Abuse
In some cases, ragging has involved sexual abuse, leading to severe consequences. For instance, C Lalitha, the mother of a student, ended her life due to the controversy surrounding the sexual abuse of her son during ragging.
Social Isolation and Exclusion
Ragging can also take the form of social isolation or exclusion based on factors such as caste, race, religion, or gender.
These examples highlight the diverse and disturbing nature of ragging practices in Indian educational institutions, which have led to serious consequences, including physical and psychological harm, and even death.
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The impact of ragging on victims
Ragging is a term used for the so-called "initiation ritual" practised in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by senior students. This practice is similar to hazing in North America, fagging in the UK, and other rituals in educational institutions worldwide.
In one tragic case, Aman Satya Kachroo, a 19-year-old medical student at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Himachal Pradesh, India, was ragged to death in 2009. Kachroo had filed a complaint against four senior students for subjecting him to physical abuse, but he ultimately succumbed to his head injuries. This case highlights the severe and often life-threatening consequences of ragging.
The University Grants Commission of India has recognised the seriousness of ragging and, in 2009, imposed regulations on Indian universities to curb this practice. They also launched a toll-free 'anti-ragging helpline'. Additionally, ragging is considered a crime in India, and those found guilty can face imprisonment, fines, expulsion, suspension, and other penalties.
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Anti-ragging measures in India
Ragging is a disturbing and heinous practice in the higher education system of India that has claimed hundreds of innocent lives and ruined countless careers. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of newcomers or junior students by senior students. To address this issue, India has implemented several anti-ragging measures to protect students and create a safe learning environment.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has taken a strong stand against ragging by imposing regulations on universities and launching a toll-free 'anti-ragging helpline' in 2009. The UGC also developed an online complaint portal that allows students to anonymously report ragging incidents without fear of retaliation. This portal includes an undertaking confirmed by each student and their parents or guardians, as well as a record of registered complaints and the status of actions taken.
In addition to the UGC's efforts, the Indian government has also passed laws and regulations to deter and punish ragging. Ragging is considered a crime in India and is punishable under different institutional and state laws. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) specifies various sections relevant to ragging, such as Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 306 (abetment to suicide), with punishments including imprisonment, fines, or both. The Supreme Court of India has also issued guidelines for setting up a Central Crisis Hotline and recommended harsh punishments for those guilty of ragging.
At the institutional level, colleges and universities have implemented stringent anti-ragging measures. Many institutions have constant camera surveillance in academic blocks, hostels, and messes. They have also formed Anti-Ragging Squads and Committees, often headed by senior professors, to enforce anti-ragging regulations and provide support to students. Freshers are encouraged to interact with Faculty Advisors for any academic or personal problems and seek help regarding ragging incidents.
To further prevent ragging, colleges and universities require students to submit anti-ragging affidavits at the time of registration, acknowledging their receipt of the anti-ragging regulations. Students found guilty of ragging may face administrative actions, such as suspension from the institution or classes, withholding of scholarships, and expulsion from dormitories. These measures aim to deter ragging and promote a culture of respect and safety within educational institutions in India.
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Frequently asked questions
Ragging is a term used for initiation rituals practised in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It involves the abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new or junior students by senior students. Ragging often takes a malignant form, where newcomers may be subjected to psychological or physical torture.
Ragging is a punishable offence under different institutional and state laws in India. Punishments can include expulsion from the institution, suspension from the institution or classes for a brief time, or a fine with a public apology. Punishments may also include withholding scholarships or other perks, barring participation in activities, withholding results, and suspension or expulsion from a dormitory or mess. Students found guilty of ragging may also face imprisonment for up to three years.
Ragging is a cognizable offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and those found guilty can be punished with imprisonment, fines, or both. The quantum of punishment varies with the gravity of the crime. For example, Section 323 of the IPC, which deals with voluntarily causing hurt, can lead to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine, or both. Additionally, colleges and universities in India are required to take measures to eliminate ragging and can face legal consequences if they fail to do so.
