In order to curb ragging in higher educational institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently amended its regulations. The UGC expanded its regulations to include all categories of students.
Now, any act of physical or mental abuse based on colour, race, gender and even appearance of a student will be construed as ragging, and those found guilty of such misconduct will be liable for disciplinary and penal action.
The amendments, based on recommendations of a government-appointed committee, was notified in an official gazette on Wednesday, with the new provisions coming into effect immediately.
Transgender students have also been included in the list of those vulnerable to campus ragging. The higher education regulator said students cannot be put to physical or mental abuse for their sexual orientation. With frequent reports about African nationals facing discrimination, the UGC has stipulated that any act of physical and mental abuse on the lines of nationality will also be construed as ragging.
The commission said bullying and exclusion of students, whether freshers or otherwise, will also be termed ragging.
Students cannot be troubled or harassed by any means or methods by others in the university and college campuses for their appearance, regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth, place of residence or economic background.
In 2009, the UGC framed a comprehensive regulation for curbing the menace in higher educational institutions following a Supreme Court verdict. To make it more effective, it was amended in 2012.
“In the third amendment, we have brought in many newer categories to expand the scope of the regulations to cover all students,” a UGC official told DH.
The UGC has received 184 complaints of ragging, with the highest 30 from Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka recorded 8 cases of ragging this year.
Now, what is ragging?
Any act of physical/mental abuse based on colour, race, gender, appearance, sexual orientation, nationality of a student
Bullying and excluding students, whether freshers or otherwise
Troubling or harassing by any means or methods for their regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth/residence or economic background