INTRODUCTION
Ragging once casually dismissed as harmless initiation rituals in educational institutions, has become a serious social problem in India. Today, even the most respected and disciplined educational institutes are not immune to this menace. Students join new institutions full of excitement, only to have their dreams shattered by seniors, some just a few years older, who turn their lives into a nightmare. Instead of fun and friendly welcomes, ragging has morphed into a human rights abuse that can lead to severe consequences including suicides and hospitalisation.
All these for what? How does tormenting others bring joy? Students, once eager to start a new chapter, become lonely and terrified. This is the reality of ragging today – a far cry from the innocent fun it once was.
This blog explores ragging as a human rights abuse, the evolution of anti-ragging laws in India, and the legal consequences for perpetrators.
DEFINING RAGGING AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE
The University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulation on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009[1] defines ragging as, “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, including 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 of a fresher or a junior student.”
Ragging is a practice in educational institutions where newcomers face aggression and humiliation from seniors, span from teasing to severe physical and psychological torture. It includes verbal abuse, physical assault, sexual coercion, and psychological torment like isolation, and bullying.
Human rights are the basic rights and freedom that belong to every person in the world without discrimination. Ragging violates fundamental human rights such as dignity, personal liberty, and a safe environment. Victims suffer physical wounds, emotional scars, and often severe psychological trauma, sometimes leading to suicide. This in turn underlines the immediate necessity of recognizing and addressing ragging as a serious human rights violation.
EVOLUTION OF ANTI-RAGGING LAWS IN INDIA
Pre-1990s: Ragging was hardly a big deal back then, and for most parts, it was ignored due to a lack of awareness or formalization of in-laws.
Tamil Nadu’s Prohibition Act: In 1997, Tamil Nadu became a pioneer by enacting the “Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997,”[2] and regulated imprisonment ranging from six months to five years and a fine of up to ten thousand rupees for indulgence in ragging.
Supreme Court Mandates: In a landmark 2001 Supreme Court case, Vishwa Jagriti Mission vs. Central Government,[3] certain guidelines were laid down to protect students against ragging and it further mandated educational institutions to prevent this barbaric activity.
UGC Regulations: In 2009, the Supreme Court further addressed the issue by appointing a committee led by RK Raghavan, whose recommendations were adopted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).[4] The UGC’s “Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions”1 highlighted different methods of ragging and made it mandatory for universities to establish committees that regulate any kind and form of interaction between seniors and freshers.
Anti-Ragging Helpline: A toll-free anti-ragging helpline and a monitoring agency were mandated by the Supreme Court in 2009, enhancing prevention efforts nationwide.
– If anybody wants to report the ragging incident, it can be reported at https://www.antiragging.in/, 24×7 Toll Free Number: 1800-180-5522 or helpline@antiragging.in.
State Level Legislation: Several states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala have also enacted their own legislation on ragging.
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF RAGGING
IPC Provisions: Ragging comes under the various sections of IPC. For instance, wrongful restraint also recognized under section 339 of the IPC,[5] is punishable with imprisonment for up to one month or a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or both. Similarly, wrongful confinement is punished through Section 340 of the IPC,[6] or other sections on the list like Section 351 of the IPC[7] (Assault).
UGC Regulations: These regulations mandate stringent actions against those found guilty of ragging, including suspension, expulsion, and cancellation of admission. Institutions must file FIRs against students involved in ragging, leading to criminal proceedings under the IPC.
Administrative Measures: Educational institutions can take administrative measures like suspending or expelling students involved in ragging, alongside legal repercussions. They are mandated to establish anti-ragging committees and squads by law. Non-compliance may lead to penalties such as loss of recognition or financial aid.
CURRENT TRAUMATIZING CASES OF RAGGING AND ITS IMPACTS
- Police in Dungarpur, Rajasthan, have filed an FIR against seven students for ragging after a first-year medical student suffered severe liver and kidney infections, requiring dialysis. The 20-year-old reported that he and 50-70 fellow first-year students from the Government Medical College, Dungarpur, were taken to a hill in extreme 48-degree heat and were forced to do 300-350 sit-ups, highlighting the severe physical and psychological toll of such ragging rituals.[8]
- The tragic death of 18-year-old Swapnadeep Kumar, a first-year student at Jadavpur University, has ignited outrage over lax adherence to rules and safety. Found with deep welts, it is suspected he was pushed from the third floor, a victim of brutal ragging.[9]
- Over 20 class 8th students were injured in a ragging incident by Class 11 seniors at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Bordumsa, Arunachal Pradesh, leaving them with visible bruises.[10]
All these incidents highlight a grave issue that many institutions try to conceal. These incidents not only harm the victims but also severely damage the institution’s reputation and who would want to attend a college infamous for such practices? The impact on the students is profound, as no one deserves to endure such trauma. The long-term effects of ragging can lead to severe social withdrawal, academic decline, and even suicidal tendencies.
According to the UGC, 1240 alleged ragging cases were reported between January 1, 2023, and April 28, 2024, marking a 45% increase from the previous academic year.[11] This alarming data underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and strict actions against perpetrators to eradicate ragging and ensure the safety and well-being of students.
AWARENESS INITIATIVES TO COMBAT RAGGING
Educational Programs and Institutional Support System: Workshops, seminars, support systems, helpline posters, and active anti-ragging committees are all part of a comprehensive strategy to end ragging. Also, enforce stringent policies to maintain discipline within institutions.
Awareness Campaigns and Rallies: These are important to give awareness at a broader level. They engage students, parents and education to unite against ragging, empowering them to reject and report incidents that radically institute the process that promotes campus safety.
Utilizing Social Media: Social Media platforms act as a strong affidavit for sharing awareness in real-time. Institutions can use compelling content, relevant hashtags, and viral challenges to enhance their anti-ragging initiatives, ensuring quick responses to incidents.
CONCLUSION
The scourge of ragging has evolved from harmless traditions to a serious violation of human rights, with devastating physical and psychological consequences for its victims. The increasing trend of ragging incidents is indicating potential danger and collaborative efforts are required urgently to curb this growing menace. There is an urgent need for our educational institutions to set an example and not just have strict anti-ragging rules but also a culture of respect and empathy among its students. Let us collectively take a pledge that not one student ever has to go through the trauma of ragging making our campuses safe and nurturing for every child, making knowledge pervasive in a more spirited atmosphere.
Author(s) Name: Aakanksha Verma (Institute of Law, Nirma University, Gujarat
References-
[1] ‘Minutes of the Meeting on Ragging’ (University Grants Commission, 23 April 2009) <https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/ragging/minuterag230409.pdf> accessed 7 July 2024
[2] Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Ragging Act 1997
[3] Vishwa Jagriti Mission v Central Govt. (2001) 6 SCC 577
[4] ‘Anti-Ragging Laws or Policies in India’ (Vajiram & Ravi, 26 August 2023) <https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/mains-articles/anti-ragging-laws-or-policies-in-india/> accessed July 2024
[5] Indian Penal Code 1860, s 339
[6] (Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, s 340
[7] Indian Penal Code 1860, s 351
[8] Hamza Khan, ‘Medical Student Ragged to the Point of Hospitalisation and Dialysis, Fir against 7 Seniors in Rajasthan’ The Indian Express (28 June 2024) <https://indianexpress.com/article/india/medical-student-ragged-to-the-point-of-hospitalisation-and-dialysis-fir-against-7-seniors-in-rajasthan-9419233/> accessed 9 July 2024
[9] Joydeep Sarkar and Soumashree Sarkar, ‘Ju First Year Student’s “ragging” Death Draws Attention to Systemic Flaws and Discrimination’ The Wire (12 August 2023) <https://thewire.in/rights/jadavpur-university-ragging-death-swapnadeep-kundu> accessed 9 July 2024
[10] Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha, ‘At Least 20 Class 8 Students Injured in Ragging in Arunachal School; 5 Suspended’ Hindustan Times (26 June 2024) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/at-least-20-class-8-students-injured-in-ragging-in-arunachal-school-5-suspended-101719411064256.html> accessed 10 July 2024
[11]Krisha V Bhatt, ‘FPJ Exclusive: 45% Rise in Ragging Cases in 2023–24, UGC Pledges Safe Learning Environment’ Free Press Journal (9 May 2024) <https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/fpj-exclusive-45-rise-in-ragging-cases-in-202324-ugc-pledges-safe-learning-environment> accessed 10 July 2024
