Ragging is a serious social concern that has affected many Educational institutions for a very long period of time. It can be defined as the practices of seniors harassing, bullying, or humiliating their juniors in schools, colleges and universities. Raging Generally starts with a prank but it can escalate into a serious physical emotional and psychological abuse. To handle this issue several campaigns has been started and anti ragging lwas gas been introduced in India.
In this essay I will explain the impact of ragging and the importance of anti tagging activities and how to make safe ways for safe learning environment for students.
What is Ragging?
Ragging is any activity that causes mental or physical harm to a student by his senior fellows through pressure, teasing, or forced actions. It can be a various forms, Like:
Verbal Abuse: Abusing junior student by using insulating or derogatory words or mocking them
Physical Abuse: Forcing students to an uncomfortable tasks by engaging them in physical violence, or making them endure hardships.
Psychological Torture: Psychological torture like threatening, isolating putting a mentally pressure on a student that leads to anxiety and stress.
Many students suffer from shock due to ragging, which affects not only their academic performance but their mental well-being, and social life. In some extreme cases, it has led to suicides, which is a great concern for educational institutions and civil society.
The Need for Anti-Ragging Laws in India
By knowing the harmful impact of ragging, the Indian government and educational authorities have taken strict measures to prevent it. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has enforced strong anti-ragging regulations, making ragging a punishable offense. Key legal actions against ragging include:
The Ragging Prevention Act
This act ensures the strict punishment for students involved in ragging, including suspension, fines, and even imprisonment.
UGC Regulations on Ragging (2009)
The University grand regulations has make it necessary for colleges to have anti-ragging committees, helplines, and awareness programs.
Supreme Court of India’s Directive
Supreme Court of India has issued very strict guidelines to prevent ragging by making institutions accountable for any such incidents.These laws ensures to create a fear-free environment where students can focus on their studies without pressure.
Impact of Anti-Ragging laws
With strict legal frameworks in place, cases of ragging are declined in many institutions. The introduction of anti-ragging helplines, grievance redressal committees, and awareness campaigns has empowered students to report any ragging incidents without fear. Some positive outcomes include:
Reduced Cases of Ragging: Fear of strict legal action has reduced the cases of ragging. Better Mental Health: With the implications of anti ragging laws students are feeling more and focused on academics which has improved their mental health.
Improved College Environment: A positive and peaceful environment has improved learning and personal growth of the students.
Encouragement for New Students:These kind of regulations has encouraged the fresh students join the prestigious institutions without and fear of ragging.
However, despite these improvements and changes, ragging still exists in some institutions. This calls for a stricter action of anti-ragging laws.
Role of Educational Institutions and Society
Stopping ragging requires a collective efforts from colleges, students, parents, and civil society. Some of key steps are:
1 Strict Implementation of Anti ragging Laws
Colleges must strictly follow and implement the UGC guidelines and ensure that anti ragging policies are mandatory. They should formulate active anti ragging committees that conducts regard checks.
2 Awareness Campaigns
Colleges and Universities should create awareness campaigns by conducting workshop seminars and orientation programs to inform students about the dangerous effects of ragging and the legal outcomes of engaging in it.
3 Encouraging Student Participation
Institutions should encourage students participation where senior students should take the responsibility of welcoming juniors instead of scaring them. They also can introduce the mentorships progmas where seniors can guide and support the joiners rather than harassing them.
4 Support for Victims
We should support the victims of ragging by providing them counseling service to ensure their mental well being and help them to cope with the trauma
5 Encouraging Reporting
Institute should encourage the reporting of any ragging incidents without being feared. Institutions also must protect the identity of accident informer and ensure a strict action against offenders.
The Role of Parents and society
Parents and society can play vital role to educate the children and students about the negative effects of ragging and encourage them to respect others. Society through media and influencer can actively discourage any form of tagging by creating awareness programs.
Conclusion
Ragging is a cruel and unnecessary activity that has no place in a modern educated society. Through the strict implementation of anti-ragging laws, awareness programs, and support systems we can ensure a safer environment for students. Every individual, whether a student, teacher, or parent, must play an active role in stopping ragging. Only after then we can create a active and inclusive education system where students can thrive without fear.
Stopping ragging is not just a legal responsibility but also a moral duty. Together, we must take a stand against ragging and promote a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness in educational institutions.