Recently, Kerala High Court has directed state government to create a working group to draft rules for anti-ragging law enforcement amid rise in incidents of ragging.

What is Ragging?

Generally, ragging is a form of systematic and sustained physical, mental and sexual abuse of freshers or juniors students at the colleges, university and educational institutions at the hands of senior students and sometimes even by outsiders in campus and hostel.

Consequences of Ragging on various stakeholders

On Victims (Junior Students)	On Family
Low Self-Esteem and Confidence: due to its degrading and dehumanizing nature. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some students develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, including flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional distress Decline in Academic Performance: It can lead to loss of focus, absenteeism.	Emotional and Psychological Distress: Families experience emotional distress and feel helpless, guilty, or angry. Financial Burden: Incur additional expenses for counselling or medical treatment. Loss of Trust in Institutions: Fear for the child's safety and future.
On Institutions	On Perpetrators
Loss of Reputation: It may bring in negative publicity to the institution affecting funding and enrolment of students. Undermines Ethical Values: It weakens the moral and ethical culture within educational institutions. Administrative Challenges: Leads to issues such as lawsuits, disciplinary actions, and regulatory scrutiny.	Career Setbacks: Expulsion from institutions, record of misconduct affects future employment and reputation. Erodes moral authority and credibility among peers. Moral and Ethical Degradation: Normalization of violence and lack of empathy.

Challenges in Eradication

Deep-Rooted Cultural & Traditional Acceptance: Ragging is perceived as a tradition or rite of passage which prepares newcomers for the challenges of academic life and the real world.
Lack of Awareness: Lack of awareness among fresher's about anti-ragging helplines and complaint portals.
Fear of Retaliation: Victims often hesitate to report incidents due to fear of retaliation, further harassment or ridicule by others.
Lack of Strict Enforcement: Weak enforcement of anti-ragging laws and the burden of proof on victims often allow perpetrators to go unpunished.
Role of Institutions: Institutions often downplay enforcing anti-ragging laws to protect their reputations, rankings and funding.

Anti-Ragging Legal Frameworks in India

Raghavan Committee Recommendations (2007)

Accreditation: National Assessment and Accreditation Council bodies should factor incident of ragging while accrediting institutions.
Set up Anti-Ragging Cells, Anti-Ragging Committee and an Anti-Ragging Squad.
Setting up of 'Mentoring Cell' in each institution to oversee and involve senior students as Mentors for the 'fresher'.
Advertisement: Launch effective advertisement campaigns at the national and regional level regarding `zero tolerance' towards ragging.
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) should devise Human Rights education of which awareness against ragging should be a compulsory part.

UGC Regulations on Curbing Ragging (2009)

Ragging is a criminal offense and UGC has framed regulations on curbing the menace of ragging in higher educational institutions. These regulations are mandatory for all universities/ institutions.

During admission: Institution shall organize joint sensitization programmes of 'freshers' and seniors.
Burden of Proof: It shall lie on the perpetrator of ragging and not on the victim.
Role of police, local administration and Institution: All of them should ensure vigil on incidents that may come within the definition of ragging.

Steps to be taken

Peer Support: Student mentors, buddy systems, and life skills education should be continued into college to support youth in handling social pressures and relationships.
Safety of student over reputation of Institution: Reporting of ragging incidents by institutions should be seen as a commitment to student safety and institutional integrity rather than damage to reputation of the institutions.
Follow 2009 Supreme Court Directives on Anti-Ragging Measures
- Display Contact Details: Institutions must prominently display the email addresses and contact details of nodal officers from anti-ragging committees.
- Inform Parents/Guardians: Annually, institutions must inform parents/guardians about anti-ragging regulations and their legal consequences.
- Install CCTV: Set up CCTV cameras at critical locations to identify potential trouble spots and respond promptly.
- Conduct Surprise Inspections: Regularly inspect hostels, student accommodations, canteens, recreation areas, restrooms, bus stops, and other key locations to deter ragging incidents.

Case Study

"A prestigious engineering college in a state recently witnessed a disturbing incident of ragging. A first-year student, Rahul, was subjected to severe physical and psychological harassment by a group of senior students. This included verbal abuse, forced physical exercises, and humiliating acts, leading to significant emotional distress and a decline in Rahul's academic performance. Despite the college having an anti-ragging committee and clear guidelines against ragging, the incident occurred, and initial attempts to address the issue were met with resistance from some faculty members who downplayed the severity of the situation, fearing damage to the college's reputation. Rahul's parents, deeply concerned about their son's well-being, have approached the college administration and threatened to escalate the matter to the media and legal authorities.

As the newly appointed head of the college's anti-ragging committee, you are tasked with handling this situation. You are aware of the Supreme Court guidelines, Raghavan Committee recommendations, and UGC regulations concerning ragging. However, you also recognize the deep-rooted cultural acceptance of ragging in some quarters and the challenges in ensuring strict enforcement.

Questions:

Identify the ethical dilemmas involved in this case. Discuss the responsibilities and obligations of the institution, faculty members, senior students, and the victim in addressing the issue of ragging.
What steps would you take to address the immediate situation concerning Rahul, ensuring his safety and well-being? Discuss the measures you would implement to prevent future incidents of ragging, focusing on fostering a culture of inclusion and respect within the college.