Ragging

Ragging is the term used for the so-called "initiation ritual" practiced in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan,[1] and Sri Lanka. The practice is similar to hazing in North America, fagging in the UK, bizutage in France, praxe in Portugal, and other similar practices in educational institutions across the world. Ragging involves abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by the senior students. It often takes a malignant form wherein the newcomers may be subjected to psychological or physical torture.[2][3] In 2009, the University Grants Commission of India imposed regulations upon Indian universities to help curb ragging and launched a toll-free 'anti-ragging helpline'.[4]

Ragging is a subset of bullying. Unlike various complex forms of bullying, ragging is easily recognisable.

According to University Grants Commission (India)’s anti-ragging cell data, 511 complaints of ragging were registered in India in 2021. Inaction and underreporting were cited as major causes of encouraging ragging. Medical colleges lead in ragging complaints, with most from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.[5]

  1. ^ Omer, Shahab (2023-02-01). "Stripped of dignity: PU freshmen forced to bear brunt of shameful ragging rituals". Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Newsletter" (PDF). Society Against Violence in Education. February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Faculty Council of Engineering & Technology Application Form" (PDF). Kolkata: Jadavpur University, School of Education Technology. 22 Jul 2010. p. 3. Retrieved 26 May 2018. Approach of jadavpur university towards ragging
  4. ^ "Annual Report 2010-2011" (PDF). University Grants Commission (India). p. 29. Retrieved 2 July 2016. Section 1.3(j) Anti-Ragging Cell
  5. ^ Tiwari, Anil Kumar (2022-09-14). "Sleep Deprivation, Slapping, Miming Sexual Acts: Inside The Murky World Of Ragging In Indian Colleges". Article 14. Retrieved 2022-09-15.