Pscychological Effects of Ragging on Student and Counteractive Measures for Prevention

Ask any college student what he or she was most nervous about on the first day of college and the answer will most probably be the same -- ragging. But what is ragging? Who does it and why?
There is no clear definition of ragging (or hazing), but it is generally understood to be the act of college seniors subjecting juniors to teasing or practical jokes. The term includes a relatively harmless prank such as asking a junior to roll a coin around the basketball court to more serious or dangerous acts like sexual abuse and torture.
Ragging initially began as an innocent tradition to get new students acquainted with each other but has gradually become a method by which anti-social elements of the institute assert their dominance on the campus. Although ragging can happen in any college, it is most prevalent in medical and engineering colleges. The reason being most students live on campus and are thus soft targets.
What to do if you are ragged
Ragging can assume any form -- abusive language directed at the student or his family, making juniors run errands for seniors, sexual abuse, forcing freshers to strip or speak obscenely about professors in front of other students. Basically, any form of abuse against juniors amounts to ragging.
If any of this is happening to you, inform your family about it first. Going against one's college seniors can be stressful for a fresher, so make sure you have all the support you can get from your family and friends.
The second step is to approach the institute's authorities. Inform them of the goings-on and the names of the culprits. Most colleges have an anti-ragging cell -- an association of professors and students who track down and take disciplinary action against students indulging in ragging.
If the college authorities seem unwilling to take action, and the severity of the offence is great, you can even approach the police. Ragging has been recognised as a crime in India and the police are legally obliged to investigate the matter.
Frehsers entrance test
Ragging is meant to faimilarise the seniors with the juniors.
In the media it is portrayed that ragging is normal event in a student life, seeing TV many seniors develop new ideas to conduct ragging. In the news they tell about the event how a sudden namely ___ got ragged commited suicide or got affected, but they fail to tell the outcome punishment on the raggers.
Demiralise the student:
Demoralise the student and will develop phobia and lose interest in studies, leave their goals aspirations, leaving them helpless for rest of their life.

Inaction or ineffective action on part of the concerned authority only encourages the mindset of te accused to indulge in such action again. The accused senior gains confidence as being right and will traumatize someone else or same one again.
How to deal with being ragged
Sometimes, intervention may come too late. In a number of cases, students have succumbed to the humiliation of ragging, and fall victim to bouts of depression and lack of interest in academic pursuits. Extreme abuse has even caused some students to attempt suicide.
It is recommended that students grappling with the humiliation of ragging seek help from a trained counsellor. Parents and teachers must take it upon themselves to safeguard the mental health of students by keeping all the channels of communication open. Every effort must be made to help a victim deal with the incident and move on.
So, don't let the fear of being ragged prevent you from pursuing a happy and fruitful college career. Remember, it is as much a crime to tolerate oppression as it is to subject someone to it. Timely action can help change your freshman year from a nightmare into a dream come true.
There are 3 types of ragging verbal, physically and sexual. The acts of abuses are making u dance, sing, propose to girl or boy, go kiss a girl or boy, all this acts which the so called seniors will not or r not bold enough to do they do it in form of ragging through the juniors. Teasing or abusing of playing Practical joke on, or causing hurt to any student. or (b) Asking any student to do any act, or perform any thing, which he/she would not, in the ordinary course, be willing to do or perform.

It is the animal hidden Instinct. The urge to dominate the neighbour, especially when one has more leisure.It happens not only in colleges/educational Institutions but also in jails and such other Institutions. They want respect from juniors. • they want to show that they r the SENIORS, and another reason may be that they want to repeat what had happend with them when they were juniors....
Please keep in mind the following things and advise your college going friends too. * Ragging is a crime. Do not engage in it or support it
* Even petty ragging is against fundamental human rights
* There needs to be zero tolerance for any form of ragging
* Being senior does not give anyone any right to pull up others for anything
* If you see any ragging, immediately inform authorites and even the police
* Just pick your phone and call police if anyone rags you even in a small way
* Make sure your college has an active anti-ragging cell
* If college authorities don't take small ragging complaints seriously, complain to your parents and the university
* As responsible citizens of India we need to elimiate ragging in everyway
* Please share this message with all your college going and other young friends
Anti-Ragging Act, 2010 and under sections 377, 511, 504, 506, 384, 341 and 323 of the IPC,
How Ragging Affects The Victim:
1. An unpleasant incident of ragging may leave a permanent scar in the victim’s mind that may haunt him for years to come. 2. The victim declines into a shell, forcing himself into ignominy and alienation from the rest of the world. 3. It demoralizes the victim who joins college life with many hopes and expectations. 4. Though incidents of physical assault and grievous injuries are not new, ragging also simultaneously causes grave psychological stress and trauma to the victim. 5....

WHAT IS RAGGING
• Teasing, manhandling, ill-treating with rudeness any Fresher.
• Psychological harm that raises fear in the mind of fresher.
• Asking the fresher to perform any act, which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame so as to adversely affect his/her physique/psyche.
RAGGING IS REPREHENSIBLE ACT
• No act of ragging shall be tolerated.
• Any act of ragging shall not go unnoticed and unpunished.
PUNISHMENT MAY INCLUDE:
• Expulsion from hostel.
• Fine with public apology.
• Withholding a scholarship or other benefit.
• Debarring from representation in events or campus placement.
• Adverse entry in Character Certificate.
• Suspension from the institution.
• Expulsion from the institution.
PROCEDURE OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS:
• If the appropriate authority is satisfied that a prima-facie case exists against the boarder he may be suspended from the hostel, pending a final enquiry.

What constitutes Ragging: - Ragging constitutes one or more of any of the following acts:
3
a. any conduct by any student or students whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student;
b. indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities by any student or students which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship, physical or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in any fresher or any other student;
c. asking any student to do any act which such student will not in the ordinary course do and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame, or torment or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche of such fresher or any other student;
d. any act by a senior student that prevents, disrupts or disturbs the regular academic activity of any other student or a fresher;
e. exploiting the services of a fresher or any other student for completing the academic tasks assigned to an individual or a group of students.
f. any act of financial extortion or forceful expenditure burden put on a fresher or any other student by students;
g. any act of physical abuse including all variants of it: sexual abuse, homosexual assaults, stripping, forcing obscene and lewd acts, gestures, causing bodily harm or any other danger to health or person;
h. any act or abuse by spoken words, emails, posts, public insults which would also include deriving perverted pleasure, vicarious or sadistic thrill from actively or passively participating in the discomfiture to fresher or any other student; i. any act that affects the mental health and self-confidence of a fresher or any other student with or without an intent to derive a sadistic pleasure or showing off power, authority or superiority by a student over any fresher or any other student.
5. Measures for prevention of ragging:-
It shall be mandatory for every technical Institution, University, deemed to be University imparting technical education to take following measures for prevention of ragging at such institutions.
4
1. The advertisement issued for admission by a technical institution, University including Deemed to be University concerned and/or the admission authority/ affiliating University/State Govt./UT/Central Govt. as the case may be, shall clearly mention that ragging is totally banned and anyone found guilty of ragging and/or abetting ragging is liable to be punished.
2. The ‘Prospectus’ and other admission related documents shall contain directions of the Supreme Court Affiliating University/admission
Authority/State Govt/Central Govt. shall make it mandatory for the institutions under their jurisdiction to compulsorily incorporate such information in their ‘Prospectus’. These Regulations shall be printed in the brochure of admission/instruction booklet for candidates.
3. The application form for admission/enrolment shall have a printed affidavit, preferably both in English and Hindi and/or in one of the regional languages.
The affidavit should be filled up and signed by the candidate to the effect that he/she is aware of the law regarding prohibition of ragging as well as the punishments, and that he/she, if found guilty of the offence of ragging and/or abetting ragging, is liable to be punished appropriately.
4. The application form shall also contain a printed affidavit, preferably both in
English and Hindi and/or in one of the regional languages and the affidavit should be signed by the parent/guardian of the applicant to the effect that he/she is also aware of the law in this regard and agrees to abide by the punishment meted out to his/her ward in case the latter is found guilty of ragging and/or abetting ragging.
5. The application for admission shall be accompanied by a document along with the School Leaving Certificate/Character Certificate which shall include a report on the behavioral patter of the applicant, so that the institution can thereafter keep intense watch upon the student who has a negative entry in this regard.
6. A student seeking admission to the hostel shall have to submit another affidavit along with his/her application for hostel accommodation that he/she is also aware of the law in this regard and agrees to abide by the punishments meted out if he/she is found guilty of ragging and/or abetting ragging.
7. Every technical institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall maintain a proper record of the affidavits obtained to ensure its safe up keep thereof,including digital copies of the affidavits and such digital copy should be made available to the AICTE or to an Agency identified/nominated by AICTE.
5
8. The AICTE or an Agency identified/nominated for the purpose and affiliating Universities and Directorate of Technical Education of the concerned State Govt./UT shall maintain an appropriate data base of the affidavits in the digital form obtained from every student at the time of admission to the technical institutions, Universities including Deemed to be
Universities imparting technical education.
9. Each batch of freshers should be divided into small groups and each such group shall be assigned to a member of staff. Such staff member should interact individually with each member of the group on daily basis to ascertain the problems/difficulties, if any faced by the freshers in the
Institution and extend necessary help.
10. Incase of freshers admitted to a Hostel it shall be the responsibility of the teacher incharge of the group to co-ordinate with the warden of the Hostel and to make surprise visits to the rooms in the hostel where the members of the group are lodged. Freshers should be lodged in a separate hostel block wherever possible and where such facilities are not available, the college/institution shall ensure that seniors’ access to freshers’ accommodation is strictly monitored by wardens, Security Guards and Staff.
11. Every institution should engage or seek the assistance of professional counselors at the time of admissions to counsel ‘freshers’ in order to prepare them for the life ahead, particularly for adjusting to the life in hostels. At the commencement of the academic session the Head of the technical Institution,
University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall convene and address a meeting of various functionaries/agencies, like
Wardens, representatives of students, parents/guardians, faculty, district administration including police, to discuss the measures to be taken to prevent ragging and steps to be taken to identify the offenders and punish them suitably.
12. Every fresher admitted to the technical Institution, University including
Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall be given a printed information booklet detailing when and whom he/she has to turn to for help and guidance for various purposes (including Wardens, Head of the institution, members of the anti–ragging committee, relevant district and police authorities), addresses and telephone numbers of such persons/authorities, etc.
13. The technical institutions, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education through the information booklet mentioned
6
above shall explain to the new entrants the arrangements for their induction and orientation which promote efficient and effective means of integrating them fully as students.
14. The information booklet mentioned above shall also tell the freshers about their rights as bona fide students and clearly instructing them that they should desist from doing anything against their will even if ordered by the seniors, and that they have nothing to fear as the institution cares for them and shall not tolerate any atrocities against them.
15. The information booklet mentioned above shall contain a calendar of events and activities laid down by the institution to facilitate and complement familiarization of juniors with the academic environment of the institution.
16. To make the community at large and the students in particular aware of the dehumanizing effect of ragging, and the approach of the institution towards those indulging in ragging, big posters (preferably with different colors for the provisions of law, punishments, etc.) shall be prominently displayed on all Notice Boards of all departments, hostels and other buildings as well as at vulnerable places Some of such posters shall be of permanent nature in certain vulnerable places.
17. The technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall request the media to give adequate publicity to the law prohibiting ragging and the negative aspects of ragging and the institutions ‘s resolve to ban ragging and punish those found guilty without fear or favor.
18. The technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall identify, properly illuminate and man all vulnerable locations.
19. The technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall tighten security in its premises, especially at the vulnerable places. If necessary, intense policing shall be resorted to at such points at odd hours during the early months of the academic session.
20. The technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall utilize the vacation period before the start of the new academic year to launch wide publicity campaign against ragging through posters, information booklets, seminars, street plays, etc.
7
21. The faculties/departments/units of the technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education shall have induction arrangements (including those which anticipate, identify and plan to meet any special needs of any specific section of students) in place well in advance of the beginning of the academic year with a clear sense of the main aims and objectives of the induction process.
22. Mobile Phones and other communication devices may be permitted in residential areas including hostels to provide access to the students particularly freshers, to reach out for help from teachers, parents and
Institution authorities.

Monitoring mechanism in technical institution, University including
Deemed to be University imparting technical education:-
a) Anti-ragging Committee: Every institution University including Deemed to be
University imparting technical education shall constitute a Committee to be known as the Anti-ragging Committee to be nominated and headed by the
Head of the Institution, and consisting of representatives of civil and police administration, local media, Non Government Organizations involved in youth activities, representatives of faculty members, representatives of parents, representatives of students belonging to the freshers’ category as well as senior students, non-teaching staff; and shall have a diverse mix of membership in terms of level as well as gender.
b) It shall be the duty of the Anti-Ragging Committee to ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations as well as the provisions of any law for the time being in force concerning ragging; and also to monitor and oversee the performance of the Anti-Ragging Squad in prevention of ragging in the institution. c) Anti-Ragging Squad: Every institution University including Deemed to be
University imparting technical education shall also constitute a smaller body to be known as the Anti-Ragging Squad to be nominated by the Head of the
Institution with such representation as may be considered necessary for maintaining vigil, oversight and patrolling functions and shall remain mobile, alert and active at all times. Provided that the Anti-Ragging Squad shall have representation of various members of the campus community and shall have no outside representation.
d) It shall be the duty of the Anti-Ragging Squad to be called upon to make surprise raids on hostels, and other places vulnerable to incidents and having the potential for ragging and shall be empowered to inspect such places.
8
e) It shall also be the duty of the Anti-Ragging Squad to conduct an on-the-spot enquiry into any incidents of ragging referred to it by the Head of the institution or any member of the faculty or any member of the staff or any student or any parent or guardian or any employee of a service provider or by any other person, as the case may be; and the enquiry report along with recommendations shall be submitted to the Anti-Ragging Committee for action. Provided that the Anti-Ragging Squad shall conduct such enquiry observing a fair and transparent procedure and the principles of natural justice and after giving adequate opportunity to the student or students accused of ragging and other witnesses to place before it the facts, documents and views concerning the incidents of ragging, and considerations such other relevant information as may be required.

Actions to be taken against students for indulging and abetting ragging in technical institutions Universities including Deemed to be University imparting technical education:-
1. The punishment to be meted out to the persons indulged in ragging has to be exemplary and justifiably harsh to act as a deterrent against recurrence of such incidents.
2. Every single incident of ragging a First Information Report (FIR) must be filed without exception by the institutional authorities with the local police authorities. 3. The Anti-Ragging Committee of the institution shall take an appropriate decision, with regard to punishment or otherwise, depending on the facts of each incident of ragging and nature and gravity of the incident of ragging.
4. a) Depending upon the nature and gravity of the offence as established the possible punishments for those found guilty of ragging at the institution level shall be any one or any combination of the following:- (i) Cancellation of admission
(ii) Suspension from attending classes
(iii) Withholding/withdrawing scholarship/fellowship and other benefits (iv) Debarring from appearing in any test/examination or other evaluation process
(v) Withholding results
(vi) Debarring from representing the institution in any regional, national or international meet, tournament, youth festival, etc.
(vii) Suspension/expulsion from the hostel
(viii) Rustication from the institution for period ranging from 1 to 4 semesters (ix) Expulsion from the institution and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution.
(x) Collective punishment: when the persons committing or abetting the crime of ragging are not identified, the institution shall resort to collective punishment as a deterrent to ensure community pressure on the potential raggers.
b) An appeal against the order of punishment by the Anti-Ragging
Committee shall lie,
11
i. In case of an order of an institution, affiliated to or constituent part, of the University, to the Vice-Chancellor of the
University;
ii. In case of an order of a University, to its Chancellor. iii. In case of an institution of national importance created by an
Act of Parliament, to the Chairman or Chancellor of the institution, as the case may be.
5. The institutional authorities shall intimate the incidents of ragging occurred in their premises along with actions taken to the Council form time to time.
9 Action to be taken against the technical Institution, University including
Deemed to be University imparting technical education which fail to take measures for prevention of ragging:-
1. Role of the concerned technical institutions, Universities including Deemed to be Universities imparting technical education shall be open to scrutiny for the purpose of finding out whether they have taken effective steps for preventing ragging and action taken against provision indulged and/or abetting ragging. The Council shall constitute Committees to inspect technical institutions, Universities including Deemed to be Universities imparting technical education to verify the status of anti ragging measures and to investigate specific instances of ragging and take appropriate action.
2. The technical Institution, University including Deemed to be University imparting technical education should submit an affidavit along with its compliance report submitted to AICTE annually with details of measures taken for prevention of ragging in technical institutions. The Compliance
Report should also contain the details of the instances of ragging and action taken against students, and others for indulging and abetting ragging.
3. All Letters of Approval issued by AICTE such as extension of approval letters, letters issued for additional courses/increase in intake and letters issued for new technical institutions, release of grants, letters of approval issued to integrated campus, second shift etc. shall contain a specific clause of prevention of ragging.
4. The AICTE shall, in respect of any institution that fails to take adequate steps to prevent ragging or fails to act in accordance with these Regulations or fails to punish perpetrators or incidents of ragging suitably, take one of more of the following measures, namely;
12
i. No admission/Withdrawal of approval granted under section 10(k) of
AICTE Act. ii. Withholding any grant allocated. iii. Declaring the institution ineligible for consideration for any assistance under any of the general or special assistance programmes of the
AICTE.
iv. Informing the general public, including potential candidates for admission, through a notice displayed prominently in the newspapers or other suitable media and posted on the website of the AICTE, declaring that the institution does not possess the minimum academic standards. v. Taking such other action within its powers as it may deem fit and impose such other penalties as may be provided in the Act for such duration of time as the institution complies with the provisions of these Regulations.
5. As regards the Universities including Deemed to be Universities imparting technical education the actions proposed to be taken such as stopping release of grants, withdrawal of approval/recognition will be sent to University
Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development
(MHRD), Govt. of India and the concerned State Govt./UT. The UGC,
MHRD Govt. of India, and the State Govt./UT concerned shall initiate immediate action on the recommendations of the Council.