Ragging is defined by the Supreme Court of India as any disorderly conduct that causes annoyance, hardship, psychological harm, or fear in junior students. It is a form of human rights abuse practiced by senior students to assert dominance over juniors. Ragging originated from British public schools and was imported to India, though it has mostly disappeared in Britain. Countries affected by ragging include India, Sri Lanka, and the US. There are two types - mild ragging intended to break ice between students, and severe ragging that causes mental trauma or death. While myths claim it builds character, facts show it promotes abuse, divides students, and has harmful psychological effects.

1. RAGGING

2. WhatisRagging?
The Supreme Court of India has defined ragging as -
“Ragging is any disorderly conduct, whether by words spoken or written, or by
an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any
student, indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities which cause or are likely
to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear or
apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student and which has the effect of
causing or generating a sense of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely
affect the psyche of a fresher or a junior student.”
In simpler terms, Ragging is a systematic human rights abuse practiced
by the seniors so as to exert their dominance over the juniors.
OR
Ragging is a damaging form of interaction of the seniors in college
or school with the juniors, newcomers or first years.

3. WherehasRaggingcomefrom?
◘ The ragging problem is a legacy of the British.
◘ Who imported the practice to India from public schools back home.
◘ But while experts say extreme forms of hazing have all but disappeared in
Britain, they continue in India and other Asian countries.
Countries affected by Ragging -
◘ USA
◘ India
◘ Sri Lanka

4. TwoTypesofRagging
Mild Ragging :
Mild ragging helps in breaking the ice between
the seniors and the juniors. It provides a platform
for the juniors and the seniors to interact.
Severe Ragging :
Ragging which leads to mental trauma, or
instills a fear in the minds of the juniors, in
sometimes can also be the cause of deaths.

5. ◘ Ragging makes a student
bold and prepares us for the
difficult circumstances in life.
It makes us strong.
◘ Ragging helps in the interaction
and developing friendship between
them.
MythsAndFactsaboutRagging
Myths
◘ Boldness as instilled by ragging
is a weak acceptance of fate by
victims. It teaches us how to be
exploited and mutely, non-resistively
accept it.
◘ Ragging is an archaic method of
interaction with several harmful
effects. Today with advance psychological
science there are many other healthy ways
interaction which are more effective and
without any human rights abuse.
Facts

6. ◘ Ragging generates a feeling
unity and oneness.
◘ Ragging divides the students on
the lines of caste, region, class etc.
It sets mob mentality in the students.
Contd...

7. ThePsychologyBehindRagging
◘ Discrimination based on caste, region, language, class etc. plays a vital role in
influencing it, especially in small cities and towns.
◘ Ragging is used as a measuring rod to test the courage of the seniors. Many
seniors who are reluctant to rag, finally succumb to peer pressure. Many seniors
rag just to stay in their group of friends.
◘ In many instances it starts as a healthy interaction but due to adrenaline rush
and excitement in the group the seniors get carried away and ragging turns ugly.
◘ Students consider ragging as an old rituals having social acceptance.

8. STATISTICS 2007-2008 ANNUAL AVG
(03-08)
REMARKS
NO OF CASES 89 46 DOUBLED
NO OF DEATHS 11 5.6 DOUBLED
FORM OF
RAGGING
43% Physical 44% Physical NO CHANGE
PLACE Engineering – 31
Medical – 17
Others – 52
Engineering – 32
Medical – 17
Others – 51
NO CHANGE
POLICE
INTERVENTION
50% 54% NO CHANGE
Statistics

10. Measures Taken To Curb Ragging
Ragging is a menace that need to tackled by the government. The government educational
institutions and HRD have formulated many measures, which are as follows,
AT THE COLLEGE
LEVEL
AT THE GOVT.
LEVEL
◘ Sensitization programs for both the
freshers and the seniors.
◘ Promoting cultural events for
fresher-senior interaction.
◘ Pro-active checking in the hostels
and anonymous surveys of the
entire freshers batch.
◘ Firstly to implement anti-ragging
guidelines.
◘ Task force to monitor the activities.
◘ National level awareness campaigns,
promotion of social science research
on ragging.