# Society Against Violence in Education

Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) is a non profit organization working for the eradication of ragging and bullying from educational institutions in India.
Major field(s) :
* Human rights
* Nonviolence
* Education
SAVE is possibly the first-registered anti-ragging NGO in India.
It is mainly composed of professionals and students from various fields who volunteer for the cause in their free time.

## Formation

Ragging has been taking a huge toll of innocent lives and careers for long. But there had been no single civil movement against the evil of ragging. There were websites and online groups, from where some conscientious youths gave birth to a non profit organisation, which later came to fame in the name of the "No Ragging Foundation". Later, the No Ragging Foundation was registered as the Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE).
Amit Sahai Gangwar, a first year student of NIT-Jalandhar, lost his life in October 2005. The news was covered by various media - news channels and dailies. This event had a great impact in the formation of this organisation.

## Mission

The Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) is an impartial, neutral and independent, non-profit organisation whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of students in educational institutions and to provide the victims of 'ragging' with assistance and also to facilitate the eradication of ragging from educational institutions through awareness, advocacy, research and such other avenues.
It works towards the creation of an environment where students can learn with fun and not with fear. It directs its efforts towards elimination of violence and abuses on innocent freshers while promoting peace and harmony among the senior and the juniors students in academic institutions.

## Objectives

Create a strong public mandate against ragging.
Device alternative but healthy and humane modes of interaction between seniors & juniors.
Unite the isolated protests against ragging under the umbrella of a strong, united movement.
Involve the authorities, faculties, students and others in the anti ragging drives.

## Ragging and Its Current Situation in India

Ragging, often euphemistically referred to as "hazing" in other parts of the world, is a form of abuse and humiliation inflicted upon newcomers or junior students in educational institutions by their seniors. Originally intended as a means of familiarizing new students with their seniors and the institution, ragging has often degenerated into acts of extreme physical and psychological abuse.
In India, ragging has been a pervasive issue for decades. Despite stringent laws and institutional policies, it continues to plague educational institutions across the country. The most common forms of ragging include physical beatings, forced consumption of substances, sexual harassment, and tasks designed to demean and humiliate the victims. The psychological toll on victims is severe, often leading to depression, anxiety, and even suicide in extreme cases.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India and the Supreme Court have mandated strict anti-ragging measures, including the establishment of anti-ragging cells in institutions, mandatory filing of affidavits by students and parents, and severe punishments for perpetrators. Institutions are also required to conduct regular awareness programs and provide counseling services to victims of ragging.
Despite these measures, the current situation remains concerning. High-profile cases of ragging continue to emerge, highlighting the persistent nature of this menace. For instance, in a recent case at a prominent engineering college, a first-year student was subjected to severe physical abuse, leading to widespread protests and media coverage. Such incidents underscore the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures.
Several factors contribute to the persistence of ragging in India. These include a culture of silence and acceptance among students, inadequate enforcement of anti-ragging policies, and a lack of awareness about the legal and psychological repercussions of ragging. Moreover, the hierarchical nature of Indian society, where seniority often equates to power, perpetuates this harmful practice.
SAVE play a crucial role in combating ragging. SAVE conducts awareness campaigns, provides legal and psychological support to victims, and advocates for stronger enforcement of anti-ragging laws. Their initiatives have brought significant changes in some institutions, but the battle is far from over.

## Activities

* Awareness - Encouraging healthy interactions and friendly campuses
* Supporting & Empowering the victims and their families
* Consultation to educational institutions in implementing anti-ragging measures.
* Research and training
* Activism, advocacy, etc.

### Awareness - Encouraging healthy interactions and friendly campuses

They spread the awareness against ragging and provide support to the victims. They also promote healthy and humane modes of interactions between the seniors and the juniors. They promote anti-ragging campus units, involving students, class and faculty members.
SAVE has been arranging awareness events, mainly in educational institutions in different parts of India, involving students, faculty members and other stakeholders. Such events serve to empower and encourage the freshers (potential victims) as well as to promote healthy modes of interactions. The events are used to guide institutional authorities, if required, on effectively implementing anti ragging measures in the campus. Faculties and students have admired such events to be very useful for the cause.
SAVE has arranged events in different parts of the country, for example : Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Varanasi, Ajmer, Hyderabad, Dehradun, Surat, Pune, Haldia, Durgapur, Howrah, etc.
SAVE has been at the forefront of the fight against ragging in educational institutions across India. Recently, the organization has intensified its efforts, focusing on raising awareness and providing support to students in some of the country's most prestigious institutions.
SAVE conducted an extensive awareness program at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, one of the premier engineering institutions in India. The program included workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions aimed at educating students about the detrimental effects of ragging.
SAVE extended its activities to one of India's oldest and most renowned universities, Jamia Millia Islamia.
Recognizing the need to address ragging at the school level, SAVE recently organized a seminar at the Rashtriya Military School in Dhaulpur. The seminar was designed to educate younger students about the harmful effects of ragging and the importance of mutual respect and camaraderie.
SAVE has sent thousands of communications to colleges as well.

### Supporting & Empowering the victims and their families

For about a decade, SAVE has been supporting the victims of ragging and/or their families in various ways. SAVE volunteers have supported victims in getting their grievances heard. They have played active roles in creating pressure on colleges to take actions and have provided legal and other guidance and assistance to the victims and their families. SAVE keeps in touch with the National (UGC) Anti Ragging Helpline and with its monitoring agency.
SAVE has filed numerous applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with institutions as well as statutory bodies. SAVE legal team, led by advocate Mrs. Meera Kaura Patel, has even represented victims in the court and before the National Human Rights Commission of India.
In a case involving the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, following the directions from the court, the police had booked the Dean, Director and Registrar were charged under IPC Sections 336, 337, 338 (negligence), 120B (conspiracy), 201 (tampering with evidence), 202, 176 (failing to inform a public authority) and 511 (attempting to commit offence).
In another case, from Thanjavur, SAVE Legal Team had requested the Chief Justice of Tamil Nadu to take suo motu cognizance of the matter. Five engineering students were arrested later.
In some cases, SAVE has collaborated with the friends and family members of 'victims', who had lost their lives in 'ragging', to arrange memorial events and to demand proper investigation into the cases. The events were clubbed with signature campaigns seeking a comprehensive national anti ragging legislation.
In many cases, the colleges have taken actions based on SAVE's recommendations. Some Colleges have been proactively invited SAVE to address their students and faculties. Several colleges have invited SAVE to be part of their anti ragging committee, however it was not possible for SAVE to accept all such offers, considering its limitations, e.g., financial limitations.

### Other Activities

* Guidance: SAVE extends technical guidance to academic institutions and others on curbing the menace of ragging.
* Research & Training

## Recognition

* Apart from wide acceptance by academic institutions, students, teachers and other stakeholders, SAVE has featured in several news reports by the national print media, electronic media as well as by the international media.
* SAVE was invited to the famous Indian television show Satyamev Jayate season 3, Episode 6 - which is anchored by Indian superstar Aamir Khan. SAVE's national co-ordinator Gaurav Singhal (an alumnus of the IIT-Kanpur) represented SAVE on the show. Some past victims, who were in contact with SAVE and the father of Amit Gangwar (the death of whom led to the birth of SAVE) took part in the show. Satyamev Jayate published an article on their website recommending SAVE.
* SAVE's honorary legal head, advocate Meera Kaura Patel has been a key speaker at a national Seminar organized by the National Human Rights Commission of India .
* Several Bollywood celebrities, like Salman Khan, Amole Gupte, Amrita Rao and Suniel Shetty have supported the movement as well.
* SAVE members have been invited to speak at various institutions as well as at international events.

## Tax exemption status

SAVE is registered with the department of Income tax in India u/s 12AA . Donations to the Society Against Violence in Education qualify for Tax exemption u/s 80G(5)(vi) .