If you rag someone and he/she then tries to commit suicide, you can be punished for both ragging and for abetment to suicide. While the punishment for ragging varies from administrative punishments (for example, suspension) to a criminal complaint, the punishment for abetment to suicide is jail time of up to 10 years and a fine(( Section 306, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)).
If there is no Anti-Ragging Squad or other authorities, or if such authorities are not helping you, you can take the following actions to stop ragging:
National Anti-Ragging Helpline
The University Grants Commission has set up a helpline number and email address that you can reach out to, in case you are being ragged. The helpline number is 1800 – 180 – 5522, and the email address is helpline@antiragging.in.
Online Complaint
The University Grants Commission has set up a web portal where you can lodge an online complaint. To lodge a complaint, go here, where you will be asked to give certain details, like your name, the college, the details of the incident, etc. Try to give as much detail as you can. You can also track your complaint here by clicking on “Track Complaint”.
Police
In case of a serious case of ragging, you can complain to the police, and file an FIR against the student(s) responsible for ragging you. In such a case, the police will investigate the matter, and take required steps to punish the students responsible for ragging.
Yes, you can complain on your friend’s behalf if your friend is being ragged. Sometimes, the person who is being ragged cannot complain out of fear or other reasons, and in such a case, another person may complain on his/her behalf. The law allows anyone to file a ragging complaint on behalf of a student and the person doing so will not get in trouble for merely reporting an incident of ragging(( Section 6.2(g), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
Yes, ragging for any reason is a crime. In 2001, the Supreme Court of India in the case of Vishwa Jagriti Mission vs. The Central Govt held that ragging is a crime in India. The intent behind ragging does not matter; even if it is done for fun, or to derive pleasure, to show off authority or superiority – the very act of ragging is a crime under Indian law.
Yes, women can be punished for indulging in ragging. For example, if a female senior rags a junior, she can be punished for ragging. Any one who rags, regardless of gender, can be punished for ragging.
If you were sexually harassed while being ragged, you should complain to the college/University authorities, or the police. For example, if your senior not only rags you but sexually harasses you or touches you inappropriately, then you can file a complaint with the police. Read more to understand how the law protects you from sexual harassment.
Yes, helping someone rag, known as abetment to ragging(( Section 7, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)), will get you in trouble, and you might be punished. For example, if your friend Ram was ragging a junior Shyam, and you helped him by throwing away Shyam’s notebooks, it will be considered as abetment to ragging.
Yes, a fresher student can get in trouble for ragging. For example, if a fresher threatens to beat another student up unless the student sings a song in front of the class, it is ragging.
A fresher can be punished just as severely as senior students. The college may choose to punish you through administrative means, such as suspension or expulsion. However, if a case can be made out against you under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, a police complaint will be filed against you, and you will be punished more severely.
When any information about an incident of ragging is brought to the notice of the Head of a college/university, whether by the Anti-Ragging Squad or otherwise, he must take the following steps(( Section 7, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):
If your case is not resolved by the Head of the institution, you can appeal against any decision taken by him or any other college authority.
Yes, even if you rag someone without causing any physical injury, that is also considered ragging. Even actions which cause psychological harm would be considered to be ragging(( Section 2, the Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016.)). For example, if you harass a student by calling him names or making derogatory remarks, it is considered as ragging, even if no physical violence was involved.
Yes, the law protects all students, regardless of gender or sexuality, from ragging(( Section 2, the Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016.)). Thus, transgender students are also protected from ragging. If you are a transgender person and are facing ragging, or any form of violence, you should report it to the authorities.
If you are being blackmailed against filing a complaint for ragging, you can ask a friend or parent to file a complaint on your behalf. The law allows anyone to file a ragging complaint on behalf of a student and the person doing so will not get in trouble for merely reporting an incident of ragging(( Section 6.2(g), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) Both ragging and blackmailing are crimes in India, and the person harassing you in this manner is liable for punishment for both ragging and blackmailing. For blackmailing, the punishment depends on the act, such as: – If someone intentionally makes you scared of getting hurt to get you to give any object of value, it is an offence(( Section 383, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) which is punishable with jail time up to 3 years and/or a fine(( Section 384, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)).
If someone threatens to hurt you, your reputation or property, or that of any other person you are interested in (such as, a family member or friend), to get you to do something or make you feel alarmed, it is an offence(( Section 503, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)) punishable with at least jail time of up to 2 years and/or a fine(( Section 506, the Indian Penal Code, 1860.)). The punishment may be more severe in other cases.
If a college does not prevent ragging, certain measures can be taken against it. This can be done either by the University with which the college is affiliated or the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Measures by the University
If a college which is affiliated with a University does not take measures to prevent ragging, the University can take the following actions(( Section 9.2, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):
Measures by the University Grant Commission
The UGC (University Grant Commission) can take the following steps against any college/university which is not adopting measures to prevent ragging(( Section 9.4, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):
Yes, a minor can also be punished for ragging. For example, if a 17 year old threatens to beat someone up unless he/she sings a song in front of the class, it is ragging.
If you rag anyone as a minor, you may be subjected to administrative punishment as mentioned here, such as expulsion from the college.
In case of a serious incident, you may be punished with a more severe penalty, under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which is the law(( The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.)) that regulates the punishment of minors in case of an offence. Generally, under this law, the Juvenile Justice Board determines how a minor found guilty of an offence will be punished and rehabilitated.
If you were ragged and reported the incident to a teacher, or any member of the staff, but the teacher did not take any further action, he or she can be(( Section 9.3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) subjected to disciplinary action that is prescribed by your college. You must inform them about the ragging incident and the lack of action by the teacher to the Anti-Ragging Squad or the Head of the college, like the Director. If the Head of the college is the one who has not taken any action when an incident of bullying has been reported to them, they can also be subjected to disciplinary action, as well as punishment under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Ragging is(( Section 2, the Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions (third amendment), Regulations, 2016.)) any physical, verbal or mental abuse committed by one student against another student belonging to an educational institute. The seniority of the student who rags or is ragged does not matter.
Ragging is a crime and it can happen for any reason. Ragging has been known to happen on the basis of appearance or colour of the skin, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, nationality, regional origins, spoken language, place of birth, place of residence or economic background. It can take many different forms. For example, bullying a student into doing assignments or excluding a student from campus activities. The law punishes different forms of ragging against students including psychological harm, physical abuse, etc. Read more here.
Many actions taken by students are considered to be ragging under the law. Some of the acts considered as ragging are:(( Section 3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
Psychological Harm
Causing psychological harm to a student is considered to be ragging under the law. This may include:
Disturbing Academic Activity
Ragging can take the form of disturbing a student’s academics. If any student prevents, disrupts or disturbs the regular academic activity of another student, it is ragging. For example, a senior student harassing a junior student into not attending classes.
Using or Exploiting a Student
Ragging can take the form of exploitation of another student. This includes:
Physical Abuse
Ragging can take the form of physical abuse and violence. Ragging includes:
Discriminating against Another Student
Ragging can take the form of discrimination and prejudice against another student. Any abuse based on the colour of your skin, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, nationality, regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth, place of residence or economic background, is considered as ragging. For example, if a student is constantly teased and called names based on her regional origins, or is ridiculed because she belongs to a lower socioeconomic status than other students, it can be considered as ragging.
The intent behind ragging does not matter. For example, to derive pleasure, for fun, to show off authority or superiority – the very act of ragging is a crime under Indian law.
If you are being ragged, you can complain to college authorities or the police.
To prevent ragging, every college and university must constitute the following authorities:(( Section 6.3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
It is compulsory for every college to constitute an Anti-Ragging Committee, which is composed of the following members:(( Section 6.3 (a), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
However, the duties of the Anti Ragging Committee are to:(( Section 6.3 (b), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
It is compulsory for every college to constitute an Anti Ragging Squad, which is(( Section 6.3 (c), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) nominated by the head of the college, such as the Principal or the Dean. The squad has representatives from different members of the campus community, like teachers, student volunteers, etc. However, outside representatives like the police or media are not a part of this authority.
The duties of the Anti Ragging Squad are to:(( Section 6.3 (d)(e), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
It is compulsory for every college to(( Section 6.3 (f), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) constitute a Mentoring Cell at the end of every academic year. It is composed of students who have volunteered to be mentors for the new students joining the college or institution.
The duties of the Mentoring Cell are to provide support and mentor-ship to the freshers or new students. However, please note that as per law, one mentor can have six freshers, and each mentor of a more senior level will have six mentors under his guidance. For example, if Ram is a 2nd-year student who has six freshers to be mentored and Shyam is a 3rd-year student, Shyam will mentor Ram and five other such mentors.
It is compulsory for every University to constitute a Monitoring Cell on Ragging. Additionally, the duties of the Monitoring Cell on Ragging are to:(( Section 6.3 (g)(h), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
It is the duty of the college to prevent ragging. All colleges/universities must take all measures to eliminate ragging, both within and outside the campus. Under the law, no college or institution, including all sub-units, like departments, canteen, etc., can allow ragging in any way.(( Section 5, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
All colleges/universities have to take steps to prevent ragging at different stages i.e. on the admission of students and on enrollment.
All colleges/universities must take the measures at the time of admission of students. Some of these are:(( Section 6.2, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
All colleges/universities must take certain measures at the time of enrolment/registration of students. Some of these are:(( Section 6.2, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
Giving leaflets to new students in a college that specify:
Students are encouraged to report ragging. For instance, if they are the victim or they complain on another student’s behalf, their identity is protected, and there are no adverse consequences for reporting an incident.
The batch of freshers will be divided into smaller groups, and each group will have a teacher who will interact with them daily to understand if the students have problems.
Separating freshers from seniors in hostels. In situations where this is not possible, wardens/hostel security must monitor senior students’ access to junior students.
The Head of the college must send a letter to parents of first-year students, at the end of the academic year, to inform them about the law on ragging and the applicable punishments. Additionally, the letter must also ask parents to talk to their children on not engaging in any ragging behaviour.
In addition to the measures specified above, each college must take some general measures. Some of these are:(( Section 6.4, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
For ragging, you can complain to the college authorities, the national helpline or the police. Please note that another person can also complain on your behalf.(( Section 6.2 (g), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) You can complain to the following authorities:
The University Grants Commission has set up(( https://www.ugc.ac.in/page/helpline.aspx)) a helpline number and email address that you can reach out to, in case you are being ragged. The helpline number is 1800 – 180 – 5522, and the email address is helpline@antiragging.in.
The University Grants Commission has set up a web portal where you can lodge an online complaint. To lodge a complaint, go here, where you will be asked to give certain details, like your name, the college, the details of the incident, etc. Try to give as much detail as you can. You can also track your complaint here by clicking on “Track Complaint”.
You can lodge a complaint with your college’s Anti-Ragging Squad. The Squad will investigate(( Section 9.1 (a), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) the complaint, determine the nature of the case and its severity, and give its recommendations to the Anti-Ragging Committee. The Committee will then punish the students responsible for ragging.(( Section 9.1, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
Please note that you can also approach any member of the faculty or the Head of the college to complain about ragging as well.(( Section 9.3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))
In case of a serious case of ragging, you can complain to the police, and file an FIR against the student(s) responsible for ragging you. In such a case, the police will investigate the matter, and take required steps to punish the students responsible for ragging.
Sometimes, it is possible that in the case of a ragging complaint, a student feels aggrieved or upset by the decision given by the Anti-Ragging Committee. In such a case, you can appeal against the decision given. For example, Ram punched Shyam because Shyam, being a junior, did not agree to perform a dance. Shyam reported this incident to the Anti-Ragging Committee. The Committee decided to suspend Ram from the college for a month, and Ram felt aggrieved by it. In such a case, Ram can appeal against the decision of the Anti Ragging Committee.
Any student can appeal against any punishment given by the Anti-Ragging Committee. However, the authority you appeal to will depend on who makes the decision for the punishment. See below to find the right authority to appeal to.(( Section 9.1 (c), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) It depends on whose decisions you are aggrieved by.
If you are aggrieved by the decision of a college which is affiliated with a University, you must appeal to the Vice-Chancellor of the University. For example, if you study at Hansraj College, in Delhi, you must appeal to the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University.
If you are aggrieved by the decision of a University, you must appeal to the University’s Chancellor.
If you are aggrieved by the decision of an institution which is of national importance you must appeal to the Chancellor/Chairman of that institution. For instance, some examples are the National Institute of Technology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. You can find a list of institutions of national importance.(( https://www.education.gov.in/en/institutions-national-importance))
If any student is caught ragging another student, he or she can be punished. Additionally, the punishment can be in the form of:
If you are caught ragging, the Anti-Ragging Committee can punish you with(( Section 9.1, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)):
In more serious cases of ragging,(( Section 7, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) if an FIR or police complaint is filed, the student may be punished under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). Some of the acts that are punishable under the IPC are:
Ragging may include subjecting a student to physical abuse and violence. Some instances are:
If someone sexually abuses a student while ragging them, it is an offence. For example, if someone touches a woman sexually and forcefully, or harasses her, or stalks her, it is an offence. Read more here.
Ragging may include restricting the movement of a student or locking him up. Some instances are:
Ragging may include subjecting a student to blackmail and intimidation. Some instances are:
However, please note it is ragging even if someone attempts or threats to commit any of these acts. Additionally, you can also complain on someone else’s behalf. Learn more here on how to complain against ragging.
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