Answer

Ragging, a severe form of bullying and harassment, has plagued Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for decades, often leading to psychological trauma, suicides, and even crimes like murders. Despite the UGC’s 2009 anti-ragging regulations and Supreme Court directives, incidents persist. Between 2012 and 2023, 78 students lost their lives due to ragging, highlighting enforcement failures.

Factors behind Persistence of Ragging in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Socio-Cultural Factors

• Hierarchy and Power Dynamics: Indian societal structures reinforce rigid hierarchies, where seniors assert dominance over juniors.
  For example: In engineering colleges, seniors force juniors to perform demeaning tasks, reinforcing a power-based social order.
• Toxic Masculinity and Peer Pressure: A culture of hyper-masculinity glorifies aggression, compelling students to conform to ragging traditions.
  For example: In medical colleges, students are pressured into endurance-based tasks under the guise of ‘building resilience.’
• Normalization as a ‘Tradition’: Many HEIs perceive ragging as an initiation ritual, discouraging intervention unless extreme violence occurs.
  For example: In Jadavpur University (2023), ragging was dismissed as a ‘bonding process,’ leading to a student’s tragic death.
• Fear of Retaliation and Social Isolation: Victims hesitate to report ragging due to fear of backlash, lack of strong witness protection, and social stigma.
  For example: In the Aman Kachroo case (2009), despite repeated abuse, Aman did not complain initially due to fear of senior retaliation.
• Silence and Complicity: Many students witness ragging but do not report it due to peer pressure or skepticism about institutional action.

Institutional Factors

• Weak Enforcement of Anti-Ragging Laws: Despite legal provisions, enforcement is weak due to institutional reluctance, lack of proactive committees, and delayed action.
  For example: In the Faizan Ahmed case (IIT Kharagpur, 2022), initial investigations ignored ragging despite UGC regulations.
• Ineffective Anti-Ragging Committees: Many HEIs lack proactive committees that conduct regular inspections, awareness drives, and counseling.
• Inadequate Monitoring in Hostels: Hostels enable unchecked senior-junior interactions, making it difficult for authorities to curb ragging.
  For example: In Kottayam Nursing College (2023), ragging occurred in hostel rooms where surveillance was absent, leading to severe harassment.
• Lack of Psychological Support Systems: Institutions fail to provide counseling and emotional support, leaving victims traumatized and perpetrators unchecked.
  For example: In the Aman Kachroo case (2009), despite prior complaints about violent behavior from seniors, no counseling interventions were introduced.
• Failure to Implement Technological Surveillance: HEIs do not use CCTV, behavioral analytics, or social media tracking to detect ragging incidents in real time.
  

Measures to Eradicate Ragging Effectively

• Strict and Immediate Punishment: Ensure swift disciplinary action, including rustication, legal prosecution, and blacklisting of offenders to deter potential raggers.
• Anonymous & Time-Bound Complaint System: Implement a confidential online portal for complaints with strict deadlines for resolution and transparent monitoring.
  For example: The University Grants Commission (UGC) helpline exists but lacks swift action; a revamped version with clear accountability is needed.
• Mandatory Anti-Ragging Training & Counseling: Introduce compulsory workshops, sensitization programs, and mentorship initiatives to change mindsets and promote positive senior-junior relationships.
  For example: AIIMS Delhi conducts counseling sessions for freshers, reducing ragging cases and fostering a supportive culture.
• Surveillance and Predictive Monitoring: Install CCTVs in hostels, conduct surprise checks, and use AI-based behavioral tracking to detect potential cases before escalation.
  For example: IIT Madras uses CCTV and student profiling to monitor interactions, leading to a significant drop in ragging incidents.
• Incentivizing Senior Mentorship: Create a structured mentorship program where seniors earn academic credits or leadership certificates for guiding freshers in a constructive manner.
  For example: BITS Pilani has a ‘Buddy System’ where seniors mentor juniors, ensuring healthy interactions instead of ragging.

Eradicating ragging demands a multi-pronged approach, strict enforcement of laws, anonymous reporting mechanisms, and swift punitive action. Beyond deterrence, fostering empathetic peer interactions, mandatory sensitization programs, and strong mentoring systems can reshape campus culture. Technology-driven monitoring and institutional accountability will ensure that HEIs become spaces of inclusivity, safety, and holistic growth rather than fear.

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