Orientation programme to raise awareness on ragging should be held in every university and college: Experts
Wednesday, 04 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Experts have said that universities and colleges should conduct orientation programmes for students to educate them on the harmful impacts of ragging in their institutions. They said this following a recent case wherein two female students left a university after experiencing mental harassment due to ragging. In light of this, the experts have stressed the importance of having an anti-ragging committee in colleges and universities, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
Regarding this, dean of student welfare at Doon University, HC Purohit said that that over time, incidents of ragging have declined in educational institutions due to the enforcement of stringent anti-ragging policies by relevant authorities. Purohit highlighted the establishment of an anti-ragging cell at Doon University in adherence to these guidelines, with details displayed on all university notice boards. Within the anti-ragging cell, faculty members are available for students to easily submit their complaints by contacting the provided number. He informed that during the admission process at the university, students are required to fill out an anti-ragging form. Apart from this, awareness sessions about anti-ragging are conducted during the orientation programmes for students in the university. Following a recent incident, he recommended that other private universities or colleges should conduct similar orientation programmes and emphasised the enforcement of anti-ragging laws. “Ragging, being an inappropriate activity, should not be tolerated in any educational institution. In our university, there is a proctor board overseeing this issue, which comprises senior faculty members. This board consists of 12 members, including both internal and external individuals. The chief proctor routinely ensures that no incidents of ragging occur among students at the university. Apart from this, the university has also installed boards containing the anti-ragging guidelines for the students, and strict actions have been incorporated,” said the dean of the school of mass communication at IMS Unison University Neeraj Khattri.
He further emphasised that other universities should also ensure the proper implementation of anti-ragging guidelines and raise awareness among students through orientation programmes.
Further, the chief proctor at the UPES RS Dhami added that emphasised that they have implemented strict measures against ragging in the college. They have established an anti-ragging squad for initial investigations and an anti-ragging committee that enforces strict actions based on these investigations. He stressed the importance of other universities strictly adhering to the guidelines regarding anti-ragging and raising awareness among students about the negative impacts of ragging.
