Ragging incidents in India

Context- According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), at least 25 students who were targeted by blasts have committed suicide in the last five and a half years.

Key Highlights 

• Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu  reported four deaths and Odisha three. 
• Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana  reported two deaths each. 
• According to a 2017 study, around 40% of Indian students have faced some form of bullying and harassment, with medical and engineering colleges reporting the most.  

What is Ragging? 

• Ragging is violence that causes or is likely to cause insult, threat or harm to students. 
• This includes abuse, humiliation or harassment of freshmen or juniors by older students. 
• This often takes a vicious form where newcomers can be tortured mentally or physically. 

Causes of Ragging Incidents in India 

• Messing is done to welcome freshmen and gives older students a sense of empowerment 
• Revenge is one of the main reasons for the explosion. 
• This means that the students themselves who are victims of the explosion are doing it with their juniors. 
• They take revenge for the excesses done to them by their juniors. 
• They force them to do whatever they suffer. Several very famous colleges in India have had a ragging history. 
• Sometimes it is even considered to be a university tradition.  

Consequences 

• The boom in higher education can cause long-term stress that reduces effective functioning. 
• The long-term consequences of bullying and harassment can be a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poor quality of  relationships.  
• It can also lead to severe depression and people taking drastic measures such as suicide attempts. 
• According to research, exploding can also increase the risk of  aggressive behavior and  criminal activity in the long term. 
• It can also lead to alcohol and drug addiction.  

Government initiatives against Ragging 

• National Anti-Ragging Helpline: According to the Supreme Court order, a National Anti-Ragging Helpline was set up to help  victims and take action in case of rape by informing the head of the institution and  local police agencies about filing a complaint.
  • The main feature of the helpline is that  complaints can be filed anonymously. 
• UGC Guidelines: The UGC regulations to curb the menace of blasts in colleges provide clear guidelines and compel all educational institutions to prevent blasts and help students avoid  extreme measures. 
• UGC Helpline: UGC maintains a 24-hour helpline for students. 
  • The UGC Anti-Ragging Cell acts as a bridge between  students and educational institutions. 
  • Reports and complaints received through the helpline are forwarded to the relevant authorities for timely action.  
• Other Regulations: The All India Council for Technical Education [AICTE] framed the All India Council for Technical Education (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Technical Institutions, Universities including  Universities imparting Technical Education) Regulations, 2009. 
  • Similarly, the Medical Council of India (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges/Institutions) Regulations, 2009 have been prepared by the Medical Council of India. 

Suggestions

• Counseling Cells: With law and order  in place, institutes should take initiatives to provide a sense of security to students. 
  • Colleges should have counseling cells that can help students in times of crisis. 
• Promote healthy interactions: Additional measures should be taken to ensure the safety of students in and around campuses. 
  • Such situations can be alleviated by organizing cultural festivals and other extracurricular activities involving both young and old. 
• Awareness: Anti-blasting programs can be organized to spread awareness about the harmful effects of blasting. Most torturers see exploding as random entertainment. 
  • This can be reduced by holding regular interactive sessions on the effects of plastering. 
  • Counseling services must be independent so that  students can maintain confidentiality and feel free to seek help. 
• Anti-Ragging: The Student Anti-Ragging Committee helps ensure that the campus is rag-tag. 
  • Colleges must also make efforts to establish a functioning campus security office. 
  • Such initiatives bring hope not only to students but also to parents. 

Way forward 

• Students, teachers and parents should receive training in mental health, stress management and recognizing the signs of anxiety. 
• We need to remove the stigma and encourage students to seek mental health support.

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