Ragging’ is the most common fear that a student experiences from the first day in college. Somehow, it has become a part of the education system. Knowing all the ill effects of ragging, every year students have to go through the same process which often turns into an embarrassing situation. From the past couple of years, India has been experiencing several major and minor incidents of ragging in different colleges. Now, this is the time when we have to say ‘no’ to ragging and all kind of teasing or abusing activities in colleges.

Significantly, Jadavpur University has taken a major step by accepting the guidelines related to anti-ragging, issued by the honorable Supreme Court of India. The Jadavpur University has also agreed to the West Bengal Prohibition of Ragging in Educational Institutions Act, 2000 that comprises of some provisions along with prohibition of ragging and penalty for ragging.

Students can be a part of this act by filling the application form for the admission to the M.Phil. course in Environmental Science or any other department of jadavpur University.

The act depicts ‘ragging’ as any kind of physiological or psychological or physical activities that may harm or embarrass a student. Not only that, teasing or making practical jokes on a particular student causing harm to that person, is also considered as a part of ragging activity. According to this act, if any student is being asked to perform any embarrassing act or performance in college campus, which the student would not want to do, then he/she has the right to protest against this activity. If proper evidence is found, then imprisonment or up to two years of imprisonment or fine up to five thousand rupees can be charged against the alleged student or students. Moreover, the student shall also be terminated from the institution in which he or she has been continuing his/her studies for the time being or shall be executed permanently.

This process also gives permission to each student of the university to immediately report to the Dean, if the student is being ragged or he/she notices any kind of ragging incident against any student.

As there are no such specific justifications of ragging and senior students just perform this for the sake of fun, as a responsible citizen of the society, we have to take initiative to stop these activities in the college campuses. With the proper initiative of students and application of anti-ragging acts, we can make a ‘Ragging-Free India’.

For more information about this, you can also visit this link http://www.jadavpur.edu/announce/MPhiEnvScApplicationForm2008-09.pdf.

SAVE (Society Against Violence in Education) is a voluntary, registered non-profit organization working towards bringing together the movements against ragging with individuals from diverse sections of the society and from different parts of India. Presently the organization functions only within the Indian territories, but aspires to expand and work together with similar organizations and people across the globe.

Is it your first day in college? Are you afraid of the fact that some of your seniors are waiting with their tricks to meet you? Common don’t be afraid, just relax and try out some tricks that would help you to stop this act of them. Keep your calm, listen to what they say, try to keep some distance and never show attitude as it may result in serious consequences. Don’t let them cross their limits but be polite. Try your best to avoid any kind of confrontation, if the situation still turns serious then you can contact the anti-ragging organzation called SAVE. For more information you can browse through the link http://www.no2ragging.org/index.html.

Jadavpur University finally has woken up to the incidences of ragging in its campus. An Anti-ragging code has been drawn up by the authority which includes formation of an anti-ragging squad in each department. Teachers will also see to the fact that freshers don’t have free classes , which is when they become vulnerable to opportunities of ragging.
If you feel strongly about the issue and want to support the cause of Anti-ragging, then you can have a look at http://www.noragging.com/

Hi, I have a little advice for the students who have just joined their colleges. We know some demons are waiting for you there at the main door of the college. It is difficult to ignore them as they are your seniors and they regard themselves to be superior. However, there are certain things that can be kept in mind while dealing with this people. At first listen to what they want to say, take it as fun but dont let them cross the level of decency. Be strong and protest if they try to hurt your self-respect. Go straight to the principal’s room and complain. It might sound silly but I did that when i was in college. I was lucky enough as some other students also accompanied me. You just need to build a group to protest against their actions. For better results go straight to the police or other anti-ragging associations and make them aware of the incident. Dont be afraid and face them with courage.

The thought of the first day in college is always accompanied with fear due to the unavoidable ragging scene. However the right attitude goes a long way in avoiding serious trouble. Raggers mostly get nasty when freshers become offensive. The best way to avoid any big embarrasment is to give a friendly smile or just agree to do the simple task you are asked to do. The more resistance you show, the more you are likely to get into further trouble and bigger embarassment.

Numerous incidents of ragging in India are being reported from colleges across the nation. First year students, and sometimes even the 2nd year students in India, have to face the menace of college ragging throughout their academic year. Even girls ragging boy students in college is not an uncommon event in India. Some of the students, unable to bear the torture and humiliation meted out to them, drop out of college or even attempt suicide.

Fortunately, the Government of India and educational institutes in the country are turning proactive in order to prevent the worsening of the college ragging situation. In this blog, I’ll try and counter the arguments that seniors often put forward in favour of college ragging.

Seniors: “College ragging is fun”

Well, the “fun” part depends on which group you belong to: Seniors or Juniors. I would urge the seniors to recollect the time when they were at the receiving end of college ragging. Did you enjoy being ragged by your seniors? I don’t think so! In all probability, you tried your best to maintain a low profile and escape from the clutches of your tormentors. Just because you are certain of the fact that you are not going to be ragged again, that doesn’t give you right to impose cruelty on your juniors. You never know, if you continue with your ill-fated activities, the next ragging session that you encounter could be with the Indian Police!

Seniors: “College ragging prepares the students for the tough world ahead”

Really??? And who gave you the right to decide whether the freshers need to have a crash course in personality development. This is one area of social service that you need not attain specialization in. In any case, you cannot put something like-” Was part of the group that moulded the talents and abilities of freshers in college”- on your resume. So, what’s the big deal?

Seniors: “College ragging breaks the ice”

There’s a lot of difference between “breaking the ice” and “breaking someone’s head”. Sometimes, the seniors fail to realize that! A significant number of freshers have landed up in the hospital as a result of physical assualts made by the seniors. There are better ways of “breaking the ice”. You could, for instance, use your pocket money to arrange a special event for the freshers. But I guess, you’d rather collect money from the juniors to arrange “special events” for your own group, than do something that benefits the freshers .

Accept it. Except in 2 highly specialized fields, there’s no justification for ragging in colleges or other educational establishments. If you feel that college ragging should be allowed, put forward your arguments by posting a comment on my blog. I promise to counter it in a logical and analytical manner!