Ragging in India
GS2/GS1/GS4
Syllabus: Governance/ Indian Society/Ethics
Source: TH
Context: Recent incidents, including the death of a 17-year-old at Jadavpur
University and the brutalization of a PSG College of Technology student in
Tamil Nadu, highlight the systemic gaps allowing this vicious cycle of Ragging to
continue.
What is Ragging?
Ragging refers to the practice of subjecting new students to humiliatingor
abusive behaviouras a way of initiating them into a group or community. It can
take many forms, including physical and emotional abuse, harassment, bullying,
and even sexual assault.
Data on caste discrimination in colleges:
A parliamentary panel found rampant caste bias within Indian colleges
and
universities.
Previous cases:
Location Case Legislation and Outcome
Tamil Nadu enacted the country's first anti-ragging
legislation in 1997 based on this case.
Navarasu, son of the then vice-chancellor of the
University of Madras, was murdered during a raggir
session.
Pon
TAMIL NADU
Navarasu
John David, a senior student, confessed to the crime,
surrendering to judicial custody. X
Navarasu was assaulted, forced to strip, lick David's
footwear, and violently beaten to death when he
refused.
Measures Description
In 2001, the Supreme Court of India banned ragging nationwide and
Judicial
mandated the creation of proctoral committees within educational
Measures institutions for active monitoring and addressing ragging issues.
Severe incidents are recommended to be reported to the police.
Ragging cases can be addressed under various provisions of the Indian
Penal Code, including Sections 339 and 340dealing with wrongful
restraint and confinement.
Legal
Measures
Some states, such as TN, Kerala and Maharashtra, have enacted
specific anti-ragging laws, providing a robust legal framework at the
state level.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued comprehensive
guidelines in 2009, requiring universities to ensure students sign anti
ragging undertakings.
UGC The guidelines also mandate the establishment of vigilant committees
Measures comprising staff and senior students.
The UGC supports an anti-ragging helpline, available in 12
trackine,
languages, and maintains a dedicated website for reporting and
ragging incidents.
The 2007 R.K. Raghavan Committee reportdescribed ragging as
ion and the
psychopathic behaviour and recommended both its prohibit
UGC's 2006
implementation of preventive measures, influencing the
Other guidelines.
Measures
e of
The Unny Committee's recommendations included a rang X
ment,
punishments for ragging, from monetary fines to imprison
reinforcing the seriousness of the issue.
Gaps in Anti-Ragging System:
Gaps Description
Lack of Effective State laws predominantly focus on prohibiting ragging rather
Prevention
than addressing itsroot causes and behaviours, resulting in a
failure to prevent incidents of ragging.
Despite the existence of guidelines, such as the UGC's 2009
Poor Enforcement
regulations, there is a lack of strict implementation by
governments and authorities, contributing to unsafe campus
environments.
Insufficient Educational institutions often limit their anti-ragging efforts to
Institutional formalities, such as displaying 'no-ragging' notices and
effort obtaining undertakings, which may not effectively deter ragging.
To address the issue of ragging, it is imperative to strengthen institutional
accountability by ensuring educational institutions actively prevent such incidents
through rigorous monitoring andthe strict enforcement of anti-ragging
policies. Creating supportive environments is crucial, with an emphasis on making
teachers and hostel wardens easily approachable for students facing ragging,
ensuring immediate assistance for victims. Additionally, engaging multiple
stakeholders, incuding students, teachers, and parents, in the anti-ragging
campaign is essential, fostering acomprehensive, community-wide effort against
ragging.
Ethical issues associated with ragging:
1. Violation of human dignity
2. Infringement of individual rights
3. Promotion of unhealthybehaviour
4. Compromise of academic standards
X
5. The legal and moral responsibility of educational institutions
Solutions:
1. Strict rules and regulations
2. Awareness campaigns
3. Counselling and support
4. Orientation programs
5. Monitoring and surveillance
Why in News?
The issue of ragging, a persistently troubling phenomenon in Indian educational institutions, has once
again captured national attention due to a recent incident at Jadavpur University.
The Supreme Court of India has taken significant steps to address this issue
through various cases and guidelines.
What is the Current State of Anti-ragging Measures in India?
Defining Ragging: Supreme Court's Perspective
In the 2001 (Vishwa Jagriti Mission) case, the Supreme Court provided a
comprehensive definition of ragging.
o Itdescribed ragging as any disorderly conduct that involves teasing,
treating,or handling fellow students with rudeness, engaging in
undisciplined activities causing annoyance or psychological harm, or
generating fear among junior students.
• The Court also noted that the motives behind ragging often include
deriving sadistic pleasure, showcasing power, authority, or superiority by
seniors over freshers.
Key Guidelines Issued by the Supreme Court:
o The Supreme Court guidelines emphasized the importance of setting up
proctoral committees within educational institutions toprevent and
address ragging.
Furthermore, it highlighted the possibility of reportingragging incidents to
the police if they become unmanageable or amount to cognizable offenses.
Raghavan Committee and UGC Guidelines:
o In 2009, the Supreme Court revisited the ragging issue and appointed a
committee led by former CBI Director RK Raghavan to address it
comprehensively.
The committee's recommendations were later adopted by the University
Grants Commission (UGC).
The UGC issued detailed guidelines that universities were required to
follow in order to counter ragging effectively.
The UGCguidelines, titled "Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging
in Higher Educational Institutions"' highlighted several forms of ragging,
including teasing, causing physical or psychological harm, generating a
of shame, and engaging in financialextortion.
The guidelines also mandated universities to publicly declare their
commitment to preventing ragging and required students to sign
undertakings that they would not engage in such activities.
o The UGC also placed responsibility on educational institutions to take
proactive measures against ragging.
Universities were required to establish committees comprising course
incharges, student advisors, wardens, and senior students.
• These committees were tasked with monitoringand regulating
interactions between freshers and seniors, ensuring a healthy and safe
environment.
Legal Consequences of Ragging in India:
While ragging itself is not categorized as a specific offense, it can be
penalized under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (|PC).
o For instance, wrongful restraint, as defined under Section 339 of the IPC,
can lead to imprisonment for up to one month or a fine of up to five hundred
rupees, or both.
o Wrongfulconfinement, governed by Section 340 of the IPC, can result in
imprisonment for up to a year or a fine of up to one thousand rupee
s, or
both.
Related State-Level Legislation:
Several Indian states have introduced special legi
slation to combat ragging.
• For instance, the Kerala Prohibition of Rag
ging Act, 1998, Andhra
Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997
, The Assam Prohibition of
Ragging Act 1998 and Maharashtra Pro
hibition of Ragging act, 1999.
Way Forward
Strengthening Anti-Ragging Measures: There is a need to institute
collaborative audits involving external experts, students, and faculty members
to assess the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures.
These audits can provide insights into gaps,areas of improvement, and
successful practices.
o The findings can be used to refine and adapt governance strategies,
ensuring a proactive approach to preventing ragging.
DigitalReporting Tools: There is a need to develop a dedicated reporting portal
or mobile app where students can report ragging incidents anonymously.
The system could incorporate real-timne notifications to relevant
authorities, ensuring swift intervention.
Community Engagement Events: There is a need to organize regular
community events that involve students in volunteer work, community service,
and social outreach. Building a sense of responsibility and unity can help
reduce the inclination towards ragging.
