“Rag today and your brother will be ragged tomorrow”
INTRODUCTION
Ragging is a disturbing reality in our country’s higher education system. Throughout the years, through ragging hundreds of innocent lives are lost each year, and wrecked the careers of thousands of intelligent kids, Many people still regard it as a type of “familiarisation” and “real-world experience” for young college students. Every year, according to preliminary estimations based on English-language media stories, There have been around 10 deaths, 40-50 cases of major injuries needing hospitalisation, and many occurrences of ragging-related riots in colleges. Given the extent of denial and subterfuge, it is not unreasonable to believe ragging is a disturbing reality in our country’s higher education system. Given the extent of denial and subterfuge, it is not unreasonable to believe that this figure is merely the tip of the iceberg, the number of unreported occurrences is staggering and serious consequences from ragging are much higher.
Ragging means pranking. However, in many hostels, seniors engage in barbaric and humiliating behaviour toward newcomers. They do it for the sake of amusement or to exact revenge on their forefathers, as their seniors did on them. Whatever they do for fun, mentally and physically harasses the young. They become fearful, and their self-esteem suffers as a result.
INCIDENTS
NEW DELHI: “The college principal announced on Tuesday that 14 pupils Silchar Dental College in Assam have dismissed two students for allegedly ragging juniors who were just admitted to the school. This is the fourth reported case of alleged ragging In the previous 10 days, in the northeastern state. The juniors of the boy’s dormitory who were impacted filed a complaint against the seniors directly with the University Grants Commission’s hotline, Principal Manjula Das told PTI that the email was given to the principal, after which the college’s anti-ragging unit started an inquiry.[1]
CHANDIGARH: In the guise of ragging, senior students at Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA) were videotaped physically beating one of the first-year students in full public view. Male and female students were both observed directing first-year students to line up and wait their turn. Senior students were also heard inciting other attendees nearby to attack the victim. The college’s anti-ragging committee examined the incident, and the individuals involved were identified.[2]
RIGHTS OF A RAGGING VICTIM
In India, ragging or bullying is considered a crime and is punishable under various institutional and state laws. As punishment, expulsion from the institution, suspension from the institution or classes for a short period, or a fine with a public apology may be imposed. Withholding scholarships or other benefits; barring participation in activities; withholding results; suspension or expulsion from a dormitory or mess. Furthermore, a student who is found guilty of ragging may be imprisoned for three years and fined.
Some Indian states have their anti-ragging legislation, while others are based on central ragging legislation. The following are the fundamental laws that govern ragging in India: In India, ragging or bullying is considered a crime and is punishable under various institutional and state laws. As punishment, expulsion from the institution, suspension from the institution or classes for a short period, or a fine with a public apology may be imposed. Withholding scholarships or other benefits; barring participation in activities; withholding results; suspension or expulsion from a dormitory or mess. Furthermore, a student who is found guilty of ragging may be imprisoned for three years and fined.
Some Indian states have their anti-ragging legislation, while others are based on central ragging legislation. The following are the fundamental laws that govern ragging in India:
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860, in some sections
- The 2009 UGC Laws on Combating Ragging in Higher Education Institutions
- 2011 Ragging Prohibition Act
- as well as other institute-specific rules.
SOLUTION
Every instance of ragging or abetting ragging obligates the institution to file an FIR. The IPC contains provisions that allow a pupil to register a police report at the nearby station. These rules are as follows:
294 – heinous deeds and songs[3]
323 – punishment for committing intentional damage[4]
324 – causing intentional injury with a lethal weapon or technique[5]
325 – penalty for causing grave harm on purpose[6]
326 – knowingly causing great harm with a lethal weapon[7]
339 – Improper Restraint[8]
340 – Incorrect Confinement[9]
341 – Punishment for Improper Restraint[10]
342 –Wrongful Confinement Punishment[11]
506 – Punishment for a negligent homicide that does not equal murder[12]
CONCLUSION
Ragging was a fun activity at first. It has devolved into evil. It has turned into synonymous with torture. According to the SC of India, ragging is defined as any action that negatively affects the body, physique, or freshmen or junior students’ minds. However, ragging becomes a legal offence if decency and morality are compromised, one’s body is harmed., or there is any unlawful restraint or criminal intimidation. Ragging in India is frequently associated with egregious abuses and obvious breaches of human rights. The Supreme Court has decided on egregious abuses and obvious breaches of human rights. The Supreme Court has decided a firm stance against ragging. Ragging is now considered made an indictable offence.
The majority of authorities have taken a firm stance on the issue. More effective measures must be taken to combat evil. Institutes should organise counselling sessions for freshmen so they to express themselves. It is necessary to develop anti-ragging cells. as well. The institute should organise a fresher party within two weeks of the commencement of the academic year, so that junior and senior students may readily engage with one another. The majority of authorities have taken a tough stance on the issue. To combat evil, more effective measures must be taken. Institutes should hold counselling sessions for freshmen so they to express themselves. Anti-ragging cells should also be established. A fresher party should be organised by the institute within two weeks of the commencement of the academic year so that younger and senior students can interact smoothly.
Author’s Name: Sanjeev Lakra (National Unversity of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi)
[1] https://news.careers360.com/assam-14-students-from-silchar-dental-college-expelled-from-hostel-for-ragging
[2] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/first-year-student-assaulted-in-the-name-of-ragging-at-chandigarh-college-of-architecture-463928
[3] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.294
[4] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.323
[5] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.324
[6] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.325
[7] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.326
[8] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.339
[9] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.340
[10] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.341
[11] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.342
[12] The Indian Penal Code, 1864 (Act 45 of 1864), s.506
