Anti-Ragging Committee

Anti-Ragging Cell

Description

Anti-Ragging Committee is an entity made to prevent and respond to the ragging occurrences within the College/University. The committee is based on the motto of providing students with a very safe and congenial learning space through strict anti-ragging policies and action in reported cases of ragging.

Motto

“Promotion of Harmony—Ensuring Safety”

 Objectives

1. Anti-Ragging Measures: Take stern measures in the prevention of ragging in any form, which should result in total eradication.
2. Student Safeguarding: Safeguard the rights and interests of students so as to achieve a safe and comfortable environment for study.
3. Create Awareness: Impart to the students the adverse impacts of ragging and inculcate a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
4. Counselling and Support: The same shall ensure the necessary support and help to the victims of ragging.
5. Discipline: There shall be a stern disciplinary action against those found guilty of ragging, which may be preventive in nature.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Monitoring and Surveillance: It shall include periodic monitoring of the campus premises for preventing ragging.
2. Complaint Handling: Complaints with respect to ragging shall be taken up promptly and efficiently.
3. Counselling: Extend counselling and support to victims of ragging.
4. Awareness Programs: Workshops, seminars, and campaigns related to the hazardous effects of ragging will be organised for students.
5. Coordination with the Authorities: The university authorities and local law enforcing agencies will be working in coordination to ensure that anti-ragging measures are properly implemented.
6. Discipline Actions: Cases of reported ragging will be investigated and disciplinary actions against the harasser will be taken.
7. Reporting: Maintain records of incidents and action taken, and report periodically to higher authorities.

Who can approach the Anti-Ragging Cell

– Any fresher who is a victim of ragging.

– Parents or guardian of the fresher

– Faculty members or staff who have the knowledge of ragging incidents.

Definition of Student Ragging

Ragging means any physical or mental abuse of a student by another student or group of students (including bullying and exclusion). It often contains the following elements:

– Verbal abuse or threats

– Physical violence or assault

– Activities that are forced upon a single individual that cause humiliation or unease

– Harassment—psychological, including isolation or ridicule.

Modus Operandi

The Anti-Ragging Cell functions through both proactive and vigilant measures to nip the evil of ragging in its bud. The institution’s policies and guidelines regarding ragging are brought before all students lucidly at the beginning itself through orientation programs. Regular awareness campaigns and workshops on this issue have also been bringing the message home, Surveillance mechanisms involving regular checks of hostels, common areas, and such other places vulnerable to ragging have been established. There is an anonymous complaint system in place that encourages students to come out and report incidents without the fear of reprisal. The cell functions in tandem with the student bodies, faculty, and local authorities for a consistent approach to ragging and its total coverage in identifying and taking action on any incident.

When a complaint is received, the Anti-Ragging Cell makes a preliminary inquiry first into the incident to ascertain how serious and genuine it is. An inquiry into the matter is then conducted, wherein the victim, the accused, and other eyewitnesses are interrogated. A detailed report is prepared based on these findings, after which suitable disciplinary actions are initiated against those found guilty, based on the policies instated by the university. The cell ensures that the victim gets proper counselling at all stages of the process. This would also provide a safe and congenial environment within the campus by ensuring further well-being to the victim and total stoppage of ragging through regular follow-up.

Inquiry Procedure of Anti-Ragging Cell of UG Programs

1. Complaint Reception:The given complaint can be written, online, or through the helpline offered for the purpose.
2. Preliminary Enquiry: The Anti-Ragging Cell will scrutinise the complaint and undertake a preliminary enquiry into the severity and genuineness.
3. Enquiry: The cell will conduct an enquiry into the incident, including interviews of the victim and the accused and also the witnesses of the act.
4. Generation of Report: On the basis of the enquiry, a detailed report shall be prepared suggesting the findings and recommendations.
5. Disciplinary Action: Necessary punitive action, like an award of…, a fine of…, a suspension of…, a cancellation of admission, or any number of other types of disciplinary actions in accordance with institutional policies.
6. Support to the Victim: Assures that the victim will receive necessary counselling and support.
7. Follow-up: Regular follow-up with the victim to ensure well-being and recurrence prevention of ragging.

What are the possible actions that can be taken against the respondent
1.Warning: The respondent may be formally warned, mentioning the seriousness of the offence that has been committed, and further wrongdoing of this nature will result in appropriate action.

2. Suspension: Suspension from classes or campus facilities or specific privileges may be temporarily enforced to ensure that the respondent realises the seriousness of their misconduct.

3. Expulsion: In the most serious cases, he may be expelled from the institution, which implies that his enrollment shall be considered as having come to an end and he will not be readmitted to any status in the institution at any future time.

4. Fines: Monetary penalties may be imposed as a punitive measure to deter the respondent and others.

5. Community Service: The respondent shall be involved in some community service activities to make them understand what they did and give back to society.

6. Counselling: Mandatory counselling may be ordered for the respondent to understand and reform his behaviour.

7. Academic penalties: The respondent’s grades or academic standing may be affected, including withholding degrees or transcripts, until they comply with disciplinary actions.

8. Legal action: In cases where the ragging incident constitutes a criminal offence, the matter may be referred to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

9. Information to Parents/Guardians: The respondent’s parents/guardians can be informed about the incidence and action taken, to bring them on board as a part of the corrective process.

10. Restriction from hostel: Bar respondent from residing in university hostels or other institutional arrangements.

11. Participation Ban: The respondent shall not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, and organisations to impress upon them the seriousness of their actions.

12. Probation: The respondent shall be kept on disciplinary probation, meaning that the respondent’s behaviour will be closely watched for a certain specified period.

Anti-Ragging Committee Members