Tackling ragging menace

Tackling Ragging Menace

The concept of ragging has grown out of its original intentions and has transformed into an indecent act

 What started off as an informal and friendly way to break the ice between the senior and the junior students in colleges, has today become a societal menace.

UNCALLED FOR: Ragging has degenerated to such an extent that it contains elements of  sadism and hostillity.

The concept of ragging was originally introduced in medical colleges decades ago, as a ritual to help freshers acquaint themselves with the new environment.



It was introduced as a tradition to help the newcomers shed their inhibitions, get over their homesickness and help them interact with the seniors.


It was designed to smoothen their entry into professional courses and pave way for a successful tenure in the colleges.
 

The tradition slowly passed to other colleges and over the years it degenerated to the form of present day ragging that contains the elements of sadism and hostility.

The concept of ragging has grown out of its original intentions and has transformed into an indecent act that at times grows in criminal proportionality and takes the shape of extortion, rape and murder.


Reasons for change


Psychologists say that the thought of vengeance plays a dominant role in the growth of its ugly face.
The idea is simple ‘We were ragged and so, we will strike back with more vengeance’.

Group behaviour, is another perception that is influencing or injecting hostility in the concept of ragging. In a group, people tend to become more aggressive and get carried away. In such situations, negative emotions give a sadistic twist to the mind.

How to overcome
To overcome the menace, senior students should take the initiative to organise welcome parties, plan freshers day and organise group activities to break the ice.

The college administrations can also involve the senior students to promote self-regulatory mechanisms to control the small percentage of offenders.



On the other hand, juniors should be more assertive and develop positive thinking. Positive thoughts can take you a long way and help you overcome any kind of stress.
Moreover, the law is always there to assist you.
 So, be bold to say ‘no’ to ragging.


Ragging in criminal parlance is considered as an act, which causes insult, annoyance, fear, apprehension, threat, intimidation, outrage of modesty and injury.


It is punishable under the Indian Penal Code and the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997.
eniors indulging in the act of ragging can be booked on a complaint filed by their Principal or a junior student and on the prima facie evidence and if proved, they are liable to the following punishments as per the Act:


Punishment


Teasing, embarrassing and humiliating -- 6 moths of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000.

 Assault and Criminal intimidation -- 1 year RI and Rs. 2,000 fine.


Wrongful restraint or confinement -- 2 years RI and Rs. 5,000 fine.


Grievous injury, abduction and rape -- 5 years RI and Rs. 10,000 fine.


Murder and abetting to suicide -- life to ten years and Rs. 50,000 fine.


The Act is applicable both inside and outside the educational institutions.


Abetting to ragging is also equally punishable.


The law empowers the head of the institution to initiate immediate action or suspend or dismiss a student, based on the prima facie evidence.


It also provides certain guidelines to the institutions to tackle the situation.

Every institution should conduct anti-ragging seminars to educate both the seniors and the juniors, provide adequate security to the juniors in the colleges and in the hostel areas, institute a committee to handle complaints, provide phone numbers of the committee members to the junior students and finally to tell to act immediately on receiving a complaint.


The head of the institution will be held liable for any delay in initiating action, upon receiving a complaint.


Nowhere to go


Following conviction, the student would not only be dismissed from the college but if the sentence exceeds 6 months, then he or she would not be able to secure admission in any of the colleges throughout India.


A convicted student will not be able to secure a job in the government sector or in any one of the Public Sector Units. Moreover, he or she will not be able to travel abroad to pursue studies or jobs, as police enquiry is mandatory for issuance of passports and visas.
             -SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE

source:http://www.hindu.com/edu/2008/09/01/stories/2008090150330100.htm