Fifteen years ago, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines
to eradicate ragging from India’s colleges. Yet, beyond tokenism, little has
changed. Government regulations remain largely on paper, and authorities
continue to dismiss complaints as either "frivolous" or too difficult
to investigate. Even defining ragging in legal terms has proven to be a
challenge, allowing institutions to sidestep accountability. The grim reality
remains unchanged—ragging continues to claim lives, leaving an indelible scar
on India’s higher education system.
The statistics are alarming: over 8,000 complaints have
been registered on the UGC helpline in the past decade, with a shocking 208%
rise in cases between 2012 and 2022. In 2022 alone, 1,103 complaints were
reported, and by October 2023, the number had already reached 756. These
figures represent only those who dared to report; the actual number of
incidents is likely far higher. Tragically, many of these cases culminate in
severe physical abuse, psychological trauma, and, in the worst instances,
suicide. The victims are often students from marginalized backgrounds,
first-generation learners, and those struggling to adjust to the pressures of
an unfamiliar academic environment.
Despite the Supreme Court’s directives and UGC’s
anti-ragging measures, including institutional committees and dedicated
helplines, enforcement remains weak. Authorities dismiss cases, citing
difficulties in distinguishing genuine complaints from exaggerated claims. Fear
of retaliation, institutional apathy, and family reluctance to engage in
prolonged legal battles further deter victims from speaking out. This failure
of enforcement allows ragging to persist, turning educational institutions into
spaces of intimidation rather than learning.
Recent cases, such as the brutal ragging incidents in the
Government College of Nursing, Kottayam, and Government College, Karyavattom,
Thiruvananthapuram, expose the depth of the crisis. Ragging is not a harmless
rite of passage; it is an assertion of power, a form of humiliation that echoes
the entrenched violence of society. The cycle is disturbingly
predictable—today’s victims become tomorrow’s perpetrators, perpetuating a
culture of cruelty that remains unchecked.
Stricter regulations alone will not solve this issue.
Instead, a fundamental cultural shift is required. Institutions must foster
inclusivity, empathy, and respect—principles that cannot remain empty slogans
but must be actively cultivated. Mental health services must be made accessible,
confidential, and tailored to the diverse needs of students. Most importantly,
impunity must end. Colleges must ensure that perpetrators face real
consequences, dismantling the toxic hierarchy that sustains ragging.
The promise of education is to nurture young minds in a
safe and equitable space. Until campuses prioritize dignity over dominance,
ragging will remain a dark stain on India’s academic institutions.
