Ragging is a CRIME: Supreme Court

[anu verma]

The dictionary meaning for ragging is tease,or play tricks on. if this is with in its limits for entertainment or simple fun or to have fresher introduction then its ok..but if it crosses the limits then its too embarrasing for any individual in the college premises. many of the organisations ,student groups are taking action to prevent this crime....but most of the extreme cases happen out of college hours !!! how to keep a check on this type of heinous ragging acts which takes place usually off time out of college premises?

[ssardar]

Yes a good move definitely. Just for some information, IIT Kharagpur implemented this system way back in 2001. Before the beginning of every semester, a declaration form is sent to a student's residence, where the student & his parents need to give the same. The form needs to be deposited along with the registration form for the concerned semester & without that the registration process becomes incomplete. Also there is a rule that if some junior complains directly about ragging against some senior student, a disciplinary committe proceeding takes place within a day or two & this is strictly followed. Til late 90's Kharagpur was quite notorious for ragging & some unfortunate incidences also took place. After that the administration became very strict on this issue & things started changing. Offcourse it still exists, but in a much milder form.
Finally, i think, whatever be the nature of students, if the institute administration is really serious about ragging, it never goes towards any serious incidence. In most of the cases, the authority itself protects the accused seniors or becomes very casual on the issue & there lies the problem.

[Sreekar]

UP students may spend 2 yrs in jail for ragging
(source:The Times of India: Breaking news, views, reviews, cricket from across India.)

Students indulging in ragging should remain prepared to serve a jail sentence of two years as the UP government is all set to make it a cognizable offence. The state cabinet, presided by chief minister Mayawati, on Monday approved a draft bill related to this.

Cabinet secretary Shashanak Shakher Singh said the CM had taken a serious note of ragging incidents. Considering it a social evil, the cabinet approved a draft bill 'Ragging-2007', to be presented in the assembly session beginning Tuesday, he said. Singh said students found directly or indirectly indulging in ragging, could face a maximum jail sentence of two years or a fine of Rs 10,000 or both. Students found guilty would not be allowed to take admission in any institution for five years. According to the draft, a student, his parents or guardian can lodge a complaint with the head of the institution if he/she is subjected to ragging.

-Thanks much,
Sreekar

[Sreekar]

Stop ragging in universities: UGC
(source:The Times of India: No 1 site for Breaking news, views, reviews, cricket, business, lifestyle, sports)

With the new academic session about to begin, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities to take steps against ragging such as specifying the number of cases in the previous sessions and the punishments awarded in the brochures and prospectus.

In a communication to the Registrars of all universities, the UGC has also given the direction that the higher
educational institutions should put up hoardings, billboards and banners in prominent places within the campus asking students to prevent and not to indulge in ragging.

"The Committee set up by the Sepreme Court to monitor the measures being taken to prevent ragging has now decided that along with the number of cases of ragging in the previous academic session, the punishments awarded to those found guilty should also be mentioned in the brochures/prospectus of the higher educational institutions," it said.

The universities have been asked to mention the names and telephone numbers of the officials to be contacted in cases of ragging on the hoardings, billboards and banners to be put up.

The UGC said in the notice that the directions follow from the step following the Supreme Court expressing concern over the cases of ragging occurring in the universities.

Earlier, the Raghavan Committee, set up as per the directions of the apex court, had recommended that ragging be included as a special section in the IPC. The UGC has already issued directions to the universities in this regard.

The UGC notice also asked the institutions to undertake any other form of campaign to prevent ragging.

-Thanks much,
Sreekar
www.banchildlabour.com

[Sreekar]

Phone no. promises help against ragging in 15 minutes
(source:ibnlive.com)

Students can call up a toll-free phone number, 1800-180-5522, to get help against ragging in any educational institute, the government announced on Saturday.


The Human Resource Development announced the helpline would function round the clock and students may also send e-mails to helpline@antiragging.net for support from the authorities and the police.


"The helpline will operate round-the-clock and function as a watchdog. Once a student gives a call and registers a complaint, the process of giving him assistance will start within 15 minutes," said HRD Minister Kapil Sibal after launching the helpline in New Delhi.


Agents at a call centre will take student’s complaint on the helpline and assign a number to track what help was given.


"(Educational) institutions will have their own anti-ragging committees. Once the information about an incident of ragging is received, it will be simultaneously relayed to the head of the institution, warden or officer of the hostel, district authorities including the Superintendent of Police for action," Sibal said.


The Education Consultancy India Ltd (Decal) and BSNL will operate the helpline on behalf of University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC will create a database compiling information provided by students in their affidavits during admission. The information will be stored in an IT-enabled web portal.