Ragging is a serious social concern that has long affected many Educational institutions. It can be defined as the practice of seniors harassing, bullying, or humiliating their juniors in schools, colleges, and universities. Raging starts with a prank, but it can escalate into severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. Several campaigns have been started to handle this issue, and anti-ragging gas has been introduced in India.
In this essay, I will explain the impact of ragging, the importance of anti-tagging activities, and how to create a 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 in various forms, such as:
Verbal Abuse: Abusing junior students by using insulating or derogatory words or mocking them
Physical Abuse: Forcing students to an uncomfortable task by engaging them in physical violence or making them endure hardships.
Psychological Torture: Psychological torture, such as threats and isolation, creates mental pressure on students, potentially leading to anxiety and stress.
Many students suffer from shock due to ragging, affecting their academic performance, mental well-being, and social life. In some extreme cases, it has led to suicides, which is an excellent concern for educational institutions and civil society.
The Need for Anti-Ragging Laws in India
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 offence. Key legal actions against ragging include:
The Ragging Prevention Act
This act ensures strict punishment for students involved in ragging, including suspension, fines, and even imprisonment.
UGC Regulations on Ragging (2009)
The University’s grand regulations require colleges to have anti-ragging committees, helplines, and awareness programs.
Supreme Court of India’s Directive
The Supreme Court of India has issued very strict guidelines to prevent ragging by holding institutions accountable for any such incidents. These laws ensure 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. Introducing anti-ragging helplines, grievance redressal committees, and awareness campaigns have 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 focused on academics, which has improved their mental health.
Improved College Environment: A positive and peaceful environment has improved the learning and personal growth of the students.
Encouragement for New Students: These regulations have encouraged fresh students to join prestigious institutions without fear of ragging.
However, despite these improvements and changes, ragging still exists in some institutions. It is calling for stricter action of anti-ragging laws.
Role of Educational Institutions and Society
Stopping ragging requires a collective effort from colleges, students, parents, and civil society. Some of the 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 conduct 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 its legal outcomes.
3 Encouraging Student Participation
Institutions should encourage student participation, and senior students should take the responsibility of welcoming juniors instead of scaring them. They can also introduce mentorship programs 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 counselling services to ensure their mental well-being and help them to cope with the trauma
5 Encouraging Reporting
Institutions should encourage the reporting of any raging incidents without fear. They must also protect the identity of accident informants and ensure strict action against offenders.
The Role of Parents and Society
Parents and society can play vital roles in educating children and students about the negative effects of ragging and encouraging them to respect others. Society, through media and influencers, 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. By strictly implementing 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 then can we create an 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 stand against ragging and promote a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness in educational institutions.