Theme: Violence and Abuse

 

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.)):

• Immediately determine if a case can be made under the Indian Penal Code, 1860. 
• If a case can be made, then he, or a member of the Anti-Ragging Committee authorized by him, must file an FIR within 24 hours of receiving such information. 
• The Head must also communicate the incident to the District Level Anti-Ragging Committee and the Nodal Officer of the affiliating University, if any. 

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.