Despite stringent laws and slew of measures to curb ragging in higher educational institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) continues to receive over 400-odd complaints of ragging in a year on its central helpline, an alarming revealation in the annual report of the the apex higher education body.
“Of the 424 alleged ragging cases registered during 2015-2016, nearly 403 complaints were closed while action taken report in remaining 21 cases is awaited,” states the Commission’s latest annual report submitted to Centre this week.
“Over five per cent students enroled in higher educational institutions across India have admitted to ragging, as per the surveys held among 18 lakh students in 2016,” says Aman Movement, an NGO which works closely with the UGC in putting an end to this menace.
“Out of 10-12 cases forwarded by the UGC every year, only one or two turned out to be genuine,” claims Prof MA Khan, registrar of Mumbai University.
“Fearing victimisation, students buckle up to the university administration,” a engineering student from Hyderabad university claimed.
Professor Kachroo who lost his son Aman to ragging admits the survey is based on colleges which are better in compliance and hence participate in the survey.
WHAT QUALIFIES AS RAGGING
- As per UGC definition any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness a fresher
- Indulging in a rowdy or undisciplined activities which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear in a junior student
