Recently, incidents of ragging in Government College of Nursing, Kottayam and Government College, Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala have brought the ragging issue into the limelight.

Definition of Ragging

• The Supreme Court in a 2001 case (Vishwa Jagriti mission case) defined ragging.
• Ragging includes:
  • Disorderly Conduct: Any act, spoken or written words, that teases, treats rudely, or handles a fresher/junior student improperly.
  • Rowdy/Undisciplined Behavior: Activities causing annoyance, hardship, or psychological harm to freshers/juniors.
  • Instilling Fear: Actions raising fear or apprehension in freshers/juniors.
  • Forced Actions: Asking students to perform acts they wouldn’t normally do, leading to shame or embarrassment.
  • Impact: Adversely affects the physical or mental well-being of freshers/juniors.
• Can be physical, psychological, sexual, or verbal abuse.
• Lead to adverse effects such as depression, anxiety, and sometimes even suicide. 

Ragging Incidents and Data

• Kerala Case (2025): A video from a government nursing college in Kottayam shows a student being tied and assaulted, highlighting the persistent issue of ragging.
• UGC Helpline Data (2009-2023):
  • Over 8,000 ragging complaints logged.
  • 208% surge in complaints from 2012 (358) to 2022 (1,103).
  • 78 student deaths allegedly due to ragging from 2012 to 2023.
• State-wise Data:
  • Deaths: Maharashtra (10), UP and Tamil Nadu (7 each), Telangana (6), Andhra Pradesh (5), MP (4).
  • Complaints: UP (1,202), MP (795), West Bengal (728), Odisha (517), Bihar (476), Maharashtra (393).
• Institutions with Most Complaints:
  • Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – 72.
  • Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal – 53.
  • MKCG Medical College, Berhampur – 49.

Broad Types of Ragging

Ragging can be categorized into three broad types based on its severity and nature:

• Mild Ragging: Often disguised as an “introduction session” but can be humiliating for freshers. Examples:
  • Asking juniors to introduce themselves in a specific manner (e.g., bowing before seniors, using specific salutations like ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’).
  • Enforcing dress codes (e.g., wearing mismatched clothes, shaving heads).
  • Making freshers sing, dance, or act in public spaces.
  • Mocking accents, mannerisms, or physical appearance.
  • Psychological Impact: Can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and emotional distress.
• Moderate Ragging: Involves coerced activities that cause discomfort, fear, or embarrassment. Examples:
  • Forcing freshers to run errands or serve seniors.
  • Compelling them to use abusive language or insult others.
  • Asking freshers to perform degrading acts (e.g., proposing to strangers, reciting vulgar jokes).
  • Social isolation: freshers being ignored, excluded, or restricted from mingling with peers.
  • Impact: Leads to social anxiety, inferiority complex, and depression.
• Severe Ragging: The most dangerous form, often leading to serious physical, psychological, or sexual abuse. Examples:
  • Beating, slapping, or physical assault.
  • Coerced drinking, smoking, or substance abuse.
  • Sexual harassment (e.g., stripping, forcing obscene acts).
  • Torture or extreme humiliation, leading to trauma, suicide attempts, or even death.
  • Legal Consequences: Punishable under IPC Sections 323, 324, 354, 506, 305, and 306.

Why Ragging Persists in India

Lack of Strict Enforcement

• Weak Implementation of Laws: Supreme Court guidelines and UGC regulations are often not enforced strictly by educational institutions.
  • Clause 9.4 of UGC Regulations, which allows action against non-compliant colleges, has never been invoked since 2009.
• Institutional Apathy: Many colleges and universities dismiss ragging complaints as “minor disputes” or “internal scuffles.”
  • Authorities often fail to file FIRs or take punitive action against perpetrators.

Cultural Normalization

• Rite of Passage: Ragging is often seen as a “tradition” or “initiation ritual” in many elite institutions.
  • Seniors justify it as a way to “break the ice” or “build bonds” with juniors.
• Peer Pressure: Students who were ragged in the past often perpetuate the cycle, believing it is their “right” to rag juniors.
  • The mentality of “we suffered, so they should too” is prevalent.

Lack of Awareness and Sensitization

• Ignorance of Consequences: Many students, especially seniors, are unaware of the severe psychological and physical harm ragging can cause.
  • Institutions often fail to conduct orientation programs to educate students about the negative impacts of ragging.
• Normalization of Aggression: In schools, bullying is often normalized, leading students to believe that aggressive behavior is acceptable.

Fear of Reporting

• Intimidation and Retaliation: Victims often fear retaliation from seniors if they report ragging.
  • The lack of anonymity in reporting mechanisms discourages victims from coming forward.
• Social Stigma: Victims may feel ashamed or embarrassed to report ragging, fearing social ostracization or being labeled as “weak.”

Inadequate Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

• Ineffective Anti-Ragging Committees: Many institutions have anti-ragging committees on paper, but they are often non-functional or lack authority.
  • Complaints are either ignored or not addressed promptly.
• Lack of Accountability: Institutions often fail to take responsibility for ragging incidents, blaming them on “individual behavior” rather than systemic failures.

Legal and Definitional Challenges

• No Clear Legal Definition: Ragging is not defined as a specific offense under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), leading to inconsistent enforcement.
  • It is often prosecuted under general provisions like wrongful restraint (Section 339 IPC) or wrongful confinement (Section 340 IPC).
• Delayed Justice: Legal proceedings in ragging cases are often slow, and perpetrators rarely face severe consequences.

Competitive and Hierarchical Environment

• Power Dynamics: In professional colleges (e.g., medical and engineering), seniors often use ragging to assert dominance over juniors in a highly competitive environment.
  • The hierarchical structure of institutions fosters a culture of seniority and authority.
• Elitism: Elite institutions often justify ragging as a “tradition,” making it difficult to eradicate.

Lack of Student Support Systems

• Inadequate Counseling Services: Many institutions lack proper counseling services to support victims of ragging.
  • Students who experience psychological trauma due to ragging often do not receive the help they need.
• Absence of Peer Support: Bystanders or fellow students often fail to intervene or report ragging incidents due to fear or indifference.

Societal Attitudes

• Normalization of Violence: Aggressive behavior is often normalized in society, leading students to believe that ragging is harmless or even beneficial.
  • The idea that ragging “toughens up” students is a common misconception.
• Gender and Caste Dynamics: Ragging often takes on discriminatory forms, targeting students based on gender, caste, or regional background.

Economic and Administrative Constraints

• Lack of Resources: Many institutions, especially in rural areas, lack the resources to implement anti-ragging measures effectively.
  • Installing CCTV cameras, setting up helplines, and conducting regular inspections require financial and administrative support.
• Overburdened Authorities: College administrations are often overburdened with other responsibilities, leading to negligence in addressing ragging.

Implications of Ragging in Educational Institutions

• Physical Harm and Injuries: Ragging often involves physical abuse, leading to injuries, disabilities, or even death.
  • In 2023, a 17-year-old student at Jadavpur University died after falling from a hostel balcony following alleged ragging. The incident involved physical assault and humiliation.
• Increase in Student Suicides: UGC data (2012-2023) recorded 78 student suicides due to ragging across India.
  • A 20-year-old student at KIIT (2025) died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment and lack of institutional support.
• Psychological Trauma: Ragging causes severe psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • In 2024, a student at a Gujarat medical college died after being forced to stand for hours during ragging. The incident left many juniors traumatized and fearful of their seniors.
• Dropout Rates and Academic Disruption: Ragging drives students to drop out of institutions, disrupting their education and career prospects.
  • In 2018, a female student at a prestigious engineering college in Tamil Nadu dropped out after being subjected to sexual harassment and humiliation during ragging.
• Normalization of Violence and Aggression: Ragging normalizes violent and aggressive behavior, creating a toxic campus culture.
  • In Kerala Nursing College Case (2025), a video showed a student being tied to a cot and tortured by seniors.
• Fear and Intimidation: Ragging creates an environment of fear and intimidation, discouraging students from reporting incidents.
  • In 2022, a student at a Kolkata university was threatened with dire consequences if he reported being ragged. He remained silent until the incident escalated.
• Social and Cultural Impact: Ragging reinforces harmful social hierarchies and perpetuates discrimination based on gender, caste, and region.
  • In 2020, a Dalit student at a Maharashtra college was subjected to caste-based slurs and humiliation during ragging.
  • A UGC report revealed that 30% of ragging incidents involved sexual harassment or gender-based violence.

Committees related to Ragging

• Raghavan Committee 2007
  • The Raghavan Committee, headed by former CBI Director R.K. Raghavan, was formed in 2007 to address the issue of ragging in educational institutions. 
  • These recommendations were later formalized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2009. 
• Raghavan Committee’s recommendations:
  • Anti-Ragging Committees: Establish anti-ragging committees at the university, college, and department levels.
  • Anti-Ragging Squads: Form anti-ragging squads to conduct surprise raids and inspections in hostels and campuses.
  • Affidavits from Students: Make it mandatory for students and their parents to submit affidavits at the time of admission, pledging not to engage in ragging.
  • Public Declaration: Institutions should publicly declare their commitment to preventing ragging through posters, notices, and official communications.
  • Exemplary Punishment: Enforce strict and exemplary punishment for those found guilty of ragging, including suspension, expulsion, and cancellation of scholarships.
  • FIR Filing: Mandate that institutions file a First Information Report (FIR) with the police within 24 hours of receiving a ragging complaint.
  • Disciplinary Action: Take disciplinary action against institutions that fail to prevent ragging or address complaints promptly.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Conduct regular awareness campaigns to educate students, faculty, and parents about the negative impacts of ragging.
  • Anti-Ragging Helpline: Establish a 24/7 anti-ragging helpline where students can report incidents anonymously.
  • Legal Framework: Treat ragging as a criminal offense and ensure that perpetrators face legal consequences.
  • Accountability of Institutions: Hold institutions accountable for failing to prevent ragging or address complaints.
  • Curriculum Inclusion: NCERT and SCERT to explore adding ragging as a subject under “Human Rights” in education curricula.
• Unny Committee: 
  • In the 1999 case, SC asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to issue guidelines to universities to curb ragging. 
  • The UGC formed a four-member committee under Prof K.P.S. Unny, Registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, to examine and submit a report on ragging.
  • It emphasized student safety, institutional accountability, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms to curb ragging.

Laws to Prevent Ragging in India

UGC Regulations (2009)

• UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions:
  • These regulations were based on the recommendations of the Raghavan Committee.
  • Clause 9.4: Allows the UGC to take action against institutions that fail to prevent ragging.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

While ragging is not a specific offense under the BNS, it can be prosecuted under various sections:

• Section 329(1) (Wrongful Restraint): Punishes restraining someone from moving in a direction they have a right to go.
• Section 329(2) (Wrongful Confinement): Punishes confining someone unlawfully.
• Section 351(2) (Criminal Intimidation): Punishes threats or acts intended to alarm someone.
• Section 115(1) (Voluntarily Causing Hurt): Punishes causing physical harm.
• Section 74 (Assault or Criminal Force to Outrage Modesty): Punishes assault or criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty.
• Section 108 (Abetment of Suicide): If ragging leads to suicide, perpetrators can be charged with abetment.

Other Legal Provisions

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (2012):
  • If ragging involves sexual harassment or assault of minors, perpetrators can be charged under POCSO.
  • Punishments include imprisonment ranging from 3 years to life, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Information Technology (IT) Act (2000):
  • Cyber ragging (e.g., online harassment or bullying) can be prosecuted under the IT Act.
  • Section 66A (now repealed) and Section 67 (publishing obscene material) were used to address online ragging.

Way Forward to Eradicate Ragging

• Strict Enforcement of Laws: Ensure strict implementation of UGC Regulations (2009) and Supreme Court guidelines.
  • Hold institutions accountable for failing to prevent ragging or address complaints.
• Awareness and Sensitization: Conduct regular orientation programs and workshops to educate students and staff about the harmful effects of ragging.
  • Use media campaigns to spread awareness and promote a culture of respect and inclusivity.
• Strengthening Grievance Redressal Mechanisms: Establish 24/7 helplines and secure complaint boxes for anonymous reporting.
  • Ensure timely action on complaints and protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
• Surveillance and Monitoring: Install CCTV cameras in hostels, common areas, and campuses to monitor activities.
  • Conduct surprise raids and inspections by anti-ragging squads.
• Punitive Measures: Impose strict penalties, including suspension, expulsion, and criminal charges, for perpetrators.
  • Take disciplinary action against institutions that fail to prevent ragging.
• Counseling and Support Systems: Provide counseling services for victims of ragging to help them cope with trauma.
  • Offer support to students who witness ragging and encourage them to report incidents.
• Community and Peer Involvement: Mobilize senior students to act as mentors and promote a positive campus culture.
  • Engage parents and local communities in anti-ragging initiatives.

Conclusion

Ragging is a deep-rooted issue that requires collective effort from students, institutions, and authorities. By strictly enforcing laws, raising awareness, and fostering a culture of respect, India can eradicate ragging and create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

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