Nine years after it was launched, the anti-ragging helpline recorded the highest number of complaints in 2017, thanks to better outreach with students. The helpline recorded 901 complaints in 2017, 74% more than 2016.

The menace of ragging continues to haunt educational institutions across the country. In the beginning, ‘ragging’ was sort of an ice-breaking session where freshers were target of light-hearted banter. But soon this became associated with ‘torture’ and many innocent students had to undergo much physical and mental pain and few unfortunates losing their lives to it.

 

The Supreme Court of India has defined ‘ragging’ as “Any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken, or written or by act which adversely affect the physique or psyche of fresher or a junior student is an act of ragging.” But if through ragging the decency and morals are violated, one’s body gets injured, if any wrongful restraint and criminals intimidation is involved in it, then ragging becomes a legal offence. For such cases, there are certain punishments in UGC’s anti-ragging guidelines which include a fine up to Rs 25,000, cancellation of admission, with holding scholarship, debarring from appearing for exams, suspension or expulsion from hostel and rustication for a period of one to four semesters.

 

The University Grants Commission has amended its anti-ragging regulations to include physical or mental abuse on grounds of ethnicity, caste, religion, colour, regional background, linguistic identity, nationality and sexual orientation. Earlier, ragging was defined as teasing and physical or psychological harm of different kinds.

This is much needed intervention as the problem for Northeastern student community studying in mainland India becomes even more aggravated as ragging often takes on a racist overtone.

Ragging should be banned. Even the institutions where ragging is prevalent could be punished by withdrawing of affiliation or other privileges and debarring from awarding any degree and withholding grants. Most authorities have tackled the problem with an iron hand but more effective steps need to be taken to deal with this evil.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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