AMITY UNIVERSITY RAJASTHAN

LAW AND EDUCATION ASSIGNMENT

ANTI-RAGGING MOVEMENT AND TYPES OF RAGGING

MADE BY: CHIRAG MATHUR

B.A, LL. B(H) 8TH SEMESTER
 INTRODUCTION
Ragging is a practice of social interaction that involves students in different activities to
welcome newcomers in colleges and universities. However, over time, this practice has
become a harmful activity that inflicts physical, emotional, and mental torture on the new
students. The Anti-ragging movement is an initiative to eradicate this practice of ragging and
promote a safe and secure campus environment for students. Ragging is a long-standing
problem in Indian educational institutions, particularly in colleges and universities. It is a
form of abuse that involves the mistreatment of students by their seniors, either physically or
mentally. Ragging can take many forms, including verbal, physical, sexual, cyber, and
indirect. It can cause severe psychological distress, and in some cases, even lead to suicide.

To address this issue, the Indian government and educational institutions have taken several
steps, including introducing anti-ragging laws and policies, setting up anti-ragging
committees, and creating awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of ragging.

TYPES OF RAGGING
Ragging can take many forms, and it is not limited to physical violence. There are various
types of ragging, such as:

Physical Ragging: Physical ragging is the most severe form of ragging and involves
physically assaulting, hitting, slapping, or kicking a student. It can cause physical injury and
trauma to the victim and is a criminal offense. Physical ragging can also involve forced
consumption of alcohol or drugs.

Verbal Ragging: Verbal ragging involves using abusive language, insulting, or humiliating a
student in front of others. It can cause psychological distress and lower the victim's self-
esteem. Verbal ragging can also include forced singing or dancing, or other humiliating
activities.
Sexual Ragging: Sexual ragging involves sexually harassing a student, such as making
inappropriate comments, touching inappropriately, or making sexual advances. It is a serious
offense and can have long-lasting psychological effects on the victim. The government of
India has made strict laws against sexual harassment, including the "Sexual Harassment of
Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013."

Cyber Ragging: Cyber ragging involves using social media or other online platforms to
harass or bully a student. It is becoming increasingly common in India and can have a severe
impact on the victim's mental health. Cyber ragging can include sharing offensive content,
hacking accounts, or making derogatory comments.

Indirect Ragging: Indirect ragging involves forcing a student to perform tasks or engage in
activities that are embarrassing or uncomfortable, such as making them wear specific clothing
or perform a dance. It can cause psychological distress and is considered a form of ragging.
Indirect ragging can also include making a student run errands, do menial tasks or engage in
bullying other students.

ANTI-RAGGING MOVEMENT IN INDIA

The Anti-ragging movement in India started in the late 1990s after the death of Aman
Kachroo, a first-year medical student who was brutally ragged by his seniors at the Dr.
Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Himachal Pradesh. His death sparked a
national outcry, and it led to the formulation of the Ragging Prevention Act in 1997.

The Ragging Prevention Act made ragging a punishable offense with imprisonment for up to
three years and a fine of up to Rs. 50,000. The act mandated every educational institution to
constitute an anti-ragging committee and take measures to prevent ragging on their campuses.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) also issued guidelines to universities and colleges
to prevent ragging. The UGC mandated the formation of an anti-ragging committee, an anti-
ragging squad, and the installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive areas of the campus.
The government also launched a toll-free helpline number for students to report incidents of
ragging anonymously. The helpline number is available 24x7, and it is monitored by the UGC
and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The anti-ragging movement in India has been successful in reducing the incidents of ragging
on campuses. However, it is still prevalent in some colleges and universities, especially in
rural areas, where awareness about the issue is low.

ANTI-RAGGING MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD

Ragging is not limited to India; it is prevalent in many countries worldwide. The anti-ragging
movement in the world started after the death of a student at the University of Lagos in
Nigeria in 1999. The incident sparked a national outcry, and it led to the formulation of the
Anti-Ragging Act in Nigeria.

Similarly, in Bangladesh, the government launched a massive campaign to prevent ragging on

campuses after the death of a student at a medical college in 2009. The government issued
guidelines to educational institutions to prevent ragging, and it made ragging a punishable
offense under the law.

In Sri Lanka, the government passed the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence
in Educational Institutions Act in 1998. The act made ragging a punishable offense with
imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine of up to Rs. 200,000.

In the United States, ragging is known as hazing, and it is prevalent in many colleges and
universities despite being illegal in many states. The anti-hazing movement in the US started
in the early 1900s, and it gained momentum after the death of a student at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1997. The incident led to the formation of the National
Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention, which aims to raise awareness about the
issue and provide resources to prevent hazing on campuses.

In the United Kingdom, ragging is known as initiations, and it is prevalent in many

universities, especially in sports teams and fraternities. The anti-initiation movement in the
UK started after the death of a student at the University of Reading in 2006. The incident led
to the formation of the Anti-Hazing and Initiations Network, which aims to raise awareness
about the issue and provide resources to prevent initiations on campuses.
 THE TYPES OF ANTI-RAGGING MEASURES:
Legal Measures: Many countries have formulated laws and regulations to prevent ragging on
campuses. These laws make ragging a punishable offense and mandate educational
institutions to take measures to prevent ragging. In India, the Ragging Prevention Act and the
UGC guidelines are examples of legal measures to prevent ragging.

Awareness Programs: Awareness programs are an essential part of the anti-ragging

movement. Educational institutions and government agencies conduct awareness programs to
educate students about the harmful effects of ragging and promote a safe and secure campus
environment.

Anti-Ragging Committees: Educational institutions constitute anti-ragging committees to

prevent ragging on campuses. These committees consist of faculty members, students, and
other stakeholders, and they take measures to prevent ragging and address incidents of
ragging.

Helpline Numbers: Many countries have launched toll-free helpline numbers for students to
report incidents of ragging anonymously. These helpline numbers are monitored by
government agencies and educational institutions, and they provide a safe platform for
students to report incidents of ragging.

CCTV Cameras: Many educational institutions install CCTV cameras in sensitive areas of
the campus to prevent ragging. These cameras provide evidence in case of incidents of
ragging, and they act as a deterrent to potential offenders.
 CONCLUSION
The anti-ragging movement is an essential initiative to promote a safe and secure campus
environment for students. Ragging is a harmful practice that inflicts physical, emotional, and
mental torture on new students, and it has no place in educational institutions. The anti-
ragging movement has been successful in reducing the incidents of ragging on campuses, but
there is still a long way to go. Educational institutions and government agencies must work
together to prevent ragging and promote a culture of respect and tolerance on campuses. The
anti-ragging movement in India has come a long way since its inception, and significant
progress has been made in curbing the menace of ragging in educational institutions.
However, more needs to be done to ensure that all students feel safe and secure in their
learning environments. It is the responsibility of every student, faculty member, and staff to
create a positive learning environment that fosters growth and development without the fear
of harassment or bullying. Let us all work together to make our educational institutions a safe
and secure place for all.