Ragging

Ragging
A traditional and systematical Human Rights Abuse and exploitation practiced by Seniors upon Fresher's. Ragging is usually conducted during a fixed period in most institutions which may range from one day to almost the whole year. Ragging is termed with different names in different parts of the world e.g., Hazing, fagging, pledging horse playing, bullying, etc.

Ragging
Legal Definition: Ragging means the doing of any act which causes or is likely to cause any physical or psychological harm of apprehension or shame or embarrassment to a student, and includes-(a) teasing or abusing of playing Practical joke on, or causing hurt to any student. Or (b) asking any student t do any act, or perform anything which he/she would not in the ordinary course be willing to do perform.

Ragging: History
Ragging was started in the 8th century AD during the Olympics in Greece in its milder form . Later on the Armed forces of several countries started practicing this ritual. During the 18th century, several students organization in Europe and US started practicing with the new entrants. During World War-I, students who returned from War and rejoined college, brought with them the techniques of severe form of Ragging practiced in Army camps.

 Then, during 20th century ragging related violence started and it became the tool to take out revenge between the blacks and the whites.
In India, ragging came during British Empire and was practiced mainly in the Army and English Public Schools. Till the early 70s, it remained in its mild form. From 1980, media increased influence and gradually became brutal in its form. During 90s, private Engineering and Medical College made ragging more rampant and severe.

Types of Ragging
Ragging can be thought of in terms of verbal, physical and sexual aggression. A single act may be combination of more than one of these. Forms of ragging may vary from bad to worse like

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Dress code ragging Formal Introduction. Verbal Torture i.e. using abusive and vulgar language. Sexual Abuse Playing the Fool. Hostel ragging Drug Abuse

Consequences of Ragging
Severe stress Serious psychological trauma Post traumatic stress disorders Physical injury through beating, hitting by objects or by forcing to perform dangerous tasks. Fear, anxiety, depression Forceful initiation to alcoholism, smoking and drugs. Dropping out from college Group violence It leads to mob mentality and violent mindset Deaths

Ragging
How ragging affects the victim An unpleasant incident of ragging may leave a permanent scar in the victims mind that may haunt him for years to come. The victim declines into a shell, forcing himself into ignominy and alienation from the rest world. Ragging causes grave psychological stress and trauma the victim . It demoralizes the victim who join college with many hopes and expectations

Those who succumb to ragging may drop out thereby hampering their career prospects
In extreme cases, incidents of suicides and culpable homicides have also been reported.

How ragging affects victims family

Parents who see their child suffering in pain and stress under gone severe stress. Besides incurring medical and other incidental expenses to rehabilitate their child, they also have to bear the
trauma of seeing his or her prospective career coming to an end.

How ragging institutions

affects

the

educational

It lowers the character of the educational institution and destroys the respect and faith it commands from society. Those who indulge in ragging hampering the colleges reputation and goodwill in society.

Ragging
Understanding the Psyche of a Ragger It is to be understood that ragging is not merely socio-legal problem. It has a certain psychological basis too. Just as every crime has a motive, what is it that propels a ragger to indulge in ragging? Let's examine some possible reasons that initiate ragging:

1. Ragging give a Sense of Authority.

2. Ragging can be a Means of Retaliation. 3. Satisfaction Of Sadistic Pleasures. 4. Peer pressure

5. Ragging Makes A Fashion Statement.

Ragging
Myths and Facts
Myth: Ragging makes a students bold and prepares us for the difficult circumstances in life. It makes us strong. Fact: Boldness as instilled by ragging is a week acceptance of fate by victim. It teaches us how to be exploited and mutely, non resistively accept it. Myth: Ragging helps in breaking the ice between seniors and fresher's. It helps in their interaction and developing friendship between them. Fact: Ragging is a archaic method of interaction with several harmful effects. Today with advance psychological science there are many other healthy ways of interaction which are more effective and without any human rights abuse. Myth: Ragging generate the feeling of unity and oneness.

Fact: Ragging divides the students on the lines of cost, region, class etc. It sets mob mentality students
Myth: Severe ragging is not prevalent any more. Fact: Severe ragging is widely prevalent in most of the college hostels. There have been more than 25 deaths due to ragging in 7 last year The problem is not yet solved, it is just hidden.

Actions to be taken against students for indulging in and abetting in

Ragging in institution
1) Every single incident of ragging a First Information Report(FIR) must be field without exception by the institutional authorities with the local police authorities. 2) Depending upon the nature and gravity of the offence as established by the AntiRagging Committee of the institution, the possible punishments for those found guilty of ragging at the institution level shall be any one or any combination of the following.

Cancellation of admission
Suspension from attending classes Withholding/withdrawing scholarship/ fellowship and other benefits.

Debarring from appearing in any institution in any regional, national or international

meet, tournament, youth festival, etc.

Actions to be taken against students for indulging in and abetting in Ragging in institution
Suspension/expulsion from the hostel

Rustication from the institution for period ranging from 1 to 4 semesters

Expulsion from the institution and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution.

Fine of rupees 25000/Collective punishment: when the person committing or abetting the crime of ranging are not identified, the institution shall resort to collective punishment as a deterrent to ensure community pressure on the potential raggers.

The instructional authority shall intimate the incidents of ragging occurred in their premises along with actions taken to the Council immediately after occurrence of such incident and inform the status of the cases from time to time.

Coming together towards a solution