India’s Ragging Epidemic

India’s attempts to stop the “ragging epidemic” are failing because institutions are not successfully implementing current rules and regulations, such as the UGC’s anti-ragging guidelines, and they frequently concentrate more on formalities like required undertakings and posters than on real-world action.

High-profile suicides and sexual abuse cases show how ineffective these measures are, and the Supreme Court has expressed concern that the system is still largely in place despite reports of false information, underreported cases, and a lack of real institutional commitment to protecting students and punishing offenders.

Despite legislation and court judgments designed to protect kids, India’s ragging pandemic continues. Academic failure, serious physical and psychological stress, and even death can result from ragging, a type of abuse and harassment. Read the article thoroughly to know about the India’s Ragging Epidemic.

India’s Ragging Epidemic

Institutions are failing to effectively implement existing rules and regulations, such as the UGC’s anti-ragging guidelines, and they usually focus more on formalities like required undertakings and posters than on practical action, which is why India’s efforts to stop the “ragging epidemic” are failing.

The Supreme Court has voiced concern that the system is still largely in place despite reports of false information, underreported cases, and a lack of genuine institutional commitment to protecting students and punishing offenders. High-profile suicides and sexual abuse cases demonstrate the ineffectiveness of these measures.

India’s ragging pandemic persists despite laws and judicial rulings intended to safeguard children. Ragging is a form of abuse and harassment that can lead to academic failure, severe physical and psychological stress, and even death.

Why the Ragging System is Failing

Superficial Implementation: Institutions often fulfil the legal requirement by simply posting notices and collecting student affidavits, which are ineffective in preventing real incidents.

Inadequate Response to Complaints: The anti-ragging helpline receives many calls, but a significant portion are not formal complaints, and some are even misused for personal grudges, making it hard to identify genuine cases of ragging.

Lack of Tangible Action: The Supreme Court has criticised the lack of tangible action from institutions, noting that the existing framework is often disregarded.

Failure to Address Mental Health: While there are reports of ragging leading to severe psychological distress and suicide, the focus hasn’t been adequately placed on addressing the mental health concerns of students.

Consequences of the Ragging Failure

The consequences of ragging failure in India are severe and far-reaching, impacting students, institutions, and society as a whole. Some of the most alarming consequences include:

• Student Suicides and Injuries: Ragging has led to a significant number of student deaths, with 51 reported cases between 2022 and 2024, according to the Society Against Violence in Education. Additionally, many students suffer physical and emotional injuries, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Undermining of Trust: The continued failure to protect students erodes trust in the education system, creating an atmosphere of fear and undermining the credibility of institutions.

• Loss of Reputation: Institutions that fail to prevent ragging risk losing their reputation and credibility, which can have long-term consequences for their students and alumni.

• Academic Decline: Ragging can also impact students’ academic performance, leading to absenteeism, decreased focus, and poor grades.

• Emotional Distress: Parents of victims experience emotional distress, financial burden, and mental agony due to legal battles and medical costs.

• Human Rights Abuse: Ragging is a serious human rights abuse, violating students’ fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, and a safe environment.

Legal and Regulatory Framework of Ragging

The legal and regulatory framework for addressing ragging in India includes:

Supreme Court Directives: The Supreme Court has mandated the creation of anti-ragging committees, toll-free helplines, and a national anti-ragging database to prevent and address ragging incidents.

UGC Regulations: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established regulations to curb ragging, including:

• Anti-Ragging Committees Are Required: Organisations are required to establish committees to stop and deal with ragging.
• Anti-Ragging Squads: Institutions must constitute squads to monitor and prevent ragging incidents.
• Helplines: Institutions must provide helplines for students to report ragging incidents.

Provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): There are several IPC provisions that punish ragging, including:

• Section 323: Voluntarily causing hurt.
• Section 506: Criminal intimidation.
• Section 341: Wrongful restraint.
• Section 302/304: In cases leading to death.
• Section 354: Unlawful force or assault directed upon a woman with the intention of offending her modesty.

State-Specific Laws: Some states, such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, have enacted their own anti-ragging laws.

Penalties: Institutions and individuals found guilty of ragging can face penalties, including:

• Imprisonment: Up to 10 years in severe cases.
• Fine: Monetary penalties.
• Expulsion: Students who engage in ragging may face suspension or expulsion.
• FIR: Institutions must file an FIR with the police within 24 hours of receiving a ragging complaint.

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