Ragging has been a recurring concern within Indian educational institutions, persistently capturing the national spotlight. This troubling phenomenon recently arose again due to an incident at Jadavpur University. The Supreme Court of India is actively addressing this through various cases and guidelines, outlining the legal consequences of ragging.
Understanding Ragging: Definition by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court provided an exhaustive definition of ragging in the 2001 Vishwa Jagriti Mission case. They described it as any disorderly conduct involving teasing, rude treatment, or the handling of fellow students in an undisciplined manner, causing annoyance, psychological harm, or fear among juniors. They also highlighted that ragging is often driven by the motives of deriving sadistic pleasure and demonstrating power, authority, or superiority by seniors over freshers.
Key Anti-Ragging Guidelines from the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has stressed the establishment of proctoral committees within educational institutions to prevent and address ragging. It has also acknowledged the necessity of reporting ragging incidents to the police if they escalate uncontrollably or amount to cognizable offenses.
The Raghavan Committee and UGC Guidelines
In 2009, the Supreme Court revisited the ragging issue and established a committee led by former CBI Director RK Raghavan. The committee’s recommendations were subsequently adopted by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Thereafter, the UGC issued detailed guidelines on counteracting ragging effectively. These guidelines required universities to declare their commitment to preventing ragging publicly and mandated students to sign undertakings against participating in such activities.
The Role of Universities in Combating Ragging
The UGC imposed the responsibility of taking proactive measures against ragging upon educational institutions. Universities were required to establish committees made up of course-incharges, student advisors, wardens, and senior students. These committees had the responsibility of monitoring and regulating interactions between freshers and seniors and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
Legal Ramifications of Ragging in India
While ragging is not a specified offense, it can be penalized under different provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). For instance, wrongful restraint can carry imprisonment of up to one month or a fine of up to five hundred rupees or both. Several Indian states have implemented special legislation to battle ragging such as the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act 1998, Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Act 1997, the Assam Prohibition of Ragging Act 1998, and Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging act 1999.
Strategies for Strengthening Anti-Ragging Measures
There is a critical need for collaborative audits involving external experts, students, and faculty members to determine the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures. These audits can reveal areas for improvement, identify gaps, and highlight successful practices helping to refine governance strategies and prevent ragging proactively.
The Need for Digital Reporting Tools
The development of a dedicated reporting portal or mobile app where students can report ragging incidents anonymously is necessary. This system could incorporate real-time notifications to relevant authorities for swift intervention.
Importance of Community Engagement Events
Regularly organized community events can help to reduce the inclination towards ragging by involving students in volunteer work, community service, and social outreach. Building a sense of responsibility and unity among students is a significant step in curbing the menace of ragging.