New Delhi: Despite the University Grants Commission’s directions to all institutions to put anti-ragging measures in place, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 138 cases followed by Madhya Pradesh with 100.
Cases of ragging on university and college campuses registered an all-time high across the country in 2017 with institutions reporting 889 cases till December 19; even though UGC and educational institutes are taking extreme measures to curb the ragging menace.
There prevalence has increased by over 70%, from 515 cases in 2016 to 889 cases in 2017, according to government data.
The data also revealed that, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 138 cases, an increase from 93 cases last to last year, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 100 cases, an increase from 55 cases.
These details were provided by the government in reply to a question in the Parliament few weeks back.
According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), 3,299 cases of student ragging in universities and colleges were registered across India between April 18, 2012 and December 12, 2017.
However, only 957 students were punished in all these cases, as reported by a publication.
The Government Polytechnic, Kanpur, with 17 cases, topped the list of individual institutions which recorded such cases.
On the other hand, in terms of the number of cases reported from individual institutions since 2012, Banaras Hindu University topped the list with 36 cases, followed by MP’s Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology that registered 31 cases. West Bengal also registered an increase from 50 to 92.
Such is the situation that the numbers have spiked despite the University Grants Commission's (UGC) directions to all institutions to put anti-ragging measures in place. Ragging does not break the ice, it breaks lives & careers.
Following are the Anti-Ragging Measures which UGC asks Universities with an objective to curtail the menace of Ragging:
In an attempt to prevent ragging, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the universities to install alarm bells in their hostels. These alarm bells will enable the universities to identify the troublemakers and stop ragging practices.
The suggestion is part of the anti-ragging measures that have been taken by the UGC. A circular was also issued by the UGC asking the universities and colleges to prevent ragging. The circular also added that action will be taken against the educational institutions failing to do so.
The circular stated that violations of the anti-ragging regulations will be reviewed seriously by the UGC. The circular was issued by the Secretary of UGC, Jaspal S Sandhu who added that perpetrators must be punished accordingly and institutes failing to take action will face the wrath of UGC.
The presence of anti-ragging squad, the formation of an anti-ragging cell and monitoring the campus by installing CCTVs has also been suggested by the UGC to the universities.
On this Dr. Savita Mehta, Vice President, Communications, of Amity Group, Amity University, Noida says,“Keeping in view the safety and security of all the students, various stringent measures have been adopted to make it a ragging free campus including round the clock Camera surveillance, as per the directives of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Ragging is a serious punishable offence and Amity University seriously condemns it in letter and spirit.”
Even, “The University strictly adheres to Supreme Court Guidelines, The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging in Educational Institutions Act, 2010, UGC Regulations, 2009 and AUUP Regulations on Ragging,” she added.
Institutes have also been asked to conduct surprise invigilation drives to ensure that fresher’s are being appropriately treated throughout the campus.
Students in trouble or in distress due to ragging can call the national anti-ragging helpline 1800-180-5522 round-the-clock. UGC has also made a documentary and four short films to counsel students on the hazardous effects of ragging.
“Anti-ragging posters are displayed all over the Campus, with addresses and mobile numbers of the Proctorial Board, selected persons from General Administration, Anti- Ragging Committees / Anti-Ragging Squads and the Anti Ragging Control Room including 24 hours helpline numbers,” she further reveals.
In 2017, the anti-ragging call centre has received the highest number of ragging-related complaints from students of different institutes. In 2016, the number was 515, whereas, in 2015 the number of complaints was relatively less i.e. 423.
According to Dr. Mehta, “To cater ragging, Special Advisoryshould definitely be issued to Fresher’s during the Orientation that they should not hesitate or feel shy of reporting any incident of ragging either as a victim or as a witness. Also, their senior’s should be advised to act as friends, philosophers and guides to their juniors.”
An official associated with UGC also pointed that parents and students are more confident and report instances of ragging in educational institutes. This is the reason for the increase of ragging cases in 2017. Earlier, they were reluctant, and the number of cases that came into the limelight was less. Now, students and parents feel confident that the people who involved in ragging will be punished with an immediate effect, he added.
References:
https://www.inshorts.com
http://indiaprix.com
http://buzzcrowd.org
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