Anti-Ragging Measures in India

“Ragging” means the following: Any 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.

Prospects of Ragging

In the prospectus to be issued for admission by educational institutions, it shall be clearly stipulated that in case the applicant for admission is found to have indulged in ragging in the past or if it is noticed later that he has indulged in ragging, admission may be refused or he shall be expelled from the educational institution.

What is the Supreme Court’s stand on ragging?

In 2001, the Supreme Court banned ragging across India.
Guidelines– Setting up proctoral committees to prevent ragging and internally address complaints against ragging.
Ragging if it becomes unmanageable or amounts to a cognizable offence the same may be reported to the police.
R K Raghavan committee– It was appointed by Supreme Court in 2006 to suggest
means and methods to prevent ragging.
possible action that can be taken against persons/institutions that indulge/ fail to curb ragging
Its recommendations were subsequently formalised by the UGC.

Punishments under Indian Penal Code against acts of 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. These provisions are:

294 – Obscene acts and songs
323 – punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
324 – voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon or means
325 – punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
326 – voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon
339 – Wrongful Restraint
340 – Wrongful Confinement
341 – Punishment for Wrongful Restraint
342 – Punishment for Wrongful Confinement
506 – Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder

What are the guidelines specified by UGC?

UGC adopted guidelines in 2009 under “The Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions”.
Definition– It includes 9 explanations of what could constitute ragging.
Institutional level- UGC requires universities to take measures for prevention of ragging.
Universities must require students to sign an undertaking that they will not engage in ragging activities.
The institution shall set up appropriate committees, including the course-incharge, student advisor, wardens and some senior students as its members.
If found guilty by the anti-ragging committee, then any member of the committee may proceed to file a First Information Report (FIR) within 24 hours of receipt of such information.
Helpline– Anti Ragging helpline is available in 12 languages for helping victims of ragging.
Anti-Ragging Website – https://www.antiragging.in/ portal contains the record of registered complaints received and the status of the action taken thereon.
Awareness- All the educational institutions in the country observe August 12-18 as anti-ragging week.

MCQs about Anti-Ragging Measures in India

Question 1: What is the definition of “ragging” as mentioned in the context?

A) Conduct promoting healthy interactions among students
B) Friendly teasing among classmates
C) Any conduct causing annoyance, psychological harm, or fear to junior students
D) Sports and cultural activities organized for fresher students

Question 2: Which committee was appointed by the Supreme Court in 2006 to address the issue of ragging?

A) R K Raghavan committee
B) UGC committee
C) Student Welfare committee
D) Anti-Ragging Monitoring committee

Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the Anti-Ragging helpline mentioned in the context?

A) To provide counseling for students experiencing academic difficulties
B) To assist students in finding accommodation near their educational institution
C) To support victims of ragging by providing help and guidance
D) To report incidents of indiscipline among students

Question 4: Which IPC section pertains to the punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and can be applied in cases of severe ragging?

A) 294
B) 323
C) 326
D) 506

Question 5: When do educational institutions in India observe the “anti-ragging week”?

A) January 12-18
B) April 1-7
C) August 12-18
D) November 1-7

Anti-Ragging Measures in India,Anti-Ragging Measures in India,Anti-Ragging Measures in India