Lok Sabha Question No. 1332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Increasing Incidents of Ragging
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1332

ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## Increasing Incidents of Ragging

†1332.  SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing incidents of ragging in the country as recently committed in Jadavpur University;
- (b) if so, the details of the investigation of the case reported and action taken therein to resolve the matter;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to cooperate with the Regulatory Officers  to  ensure  ragging  free  campus  as  per  the  recommendation  of  Raghavan Panel;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the Government evaluates the effectiveness of existing measures like UGC  Regulations  2009  to  prevent  the  menace  of  ragging  in  Higher  Educational Institutions considering their efficacy in preventing ragging;
- (g) if so, the details thereof; and
- (h) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a)  to  (c):      Government  is  committed  to  ensure  a  ragging  free  campus  in  Higher Educational  Institutions  (HEIs).  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed that  the  incident  of  ragging  in  Jadavpur  University  was  taken  cognizance  of  by  the Police authorities and the matter is under the jurisdiction of courts.

However, UGC had also constituted an expert committee to investigate the matter in compliance  of  'UGC  Regulations  on  Curbing  the  Menace  of  Ragging  in  Higher Educational  Institutions,  2009'  to  look  into  the  ragging  incident  in  the  Jadavpur University. The committee in its report has recommended that there must be a proper eco-system in place at Jadavpur University to prevent ragging; a proactive mechanism towards vigilance, monitoring, prevention and awareness regarding ragging; installation  of  CCTVs  in  the  hostel  and  ragging-prone  zones  of  the  University;  and students' involvement in relevant university committees to maintain transparency in the system etc.  UGC has informed that the extracts of the expert committee report duly highlighting the shortcomings have been sent to Jadavpur University and have asked the  University  to  initiate  immediate  steps  to  address  the  same.  In  response,  the University has intimated UGC that various steps have been initiated by the University to ensure the compliances of UGC Regulations. UGC also asked Jadavpur University to  submit  regular  reports  till  the  time  all  compliances  are  adhered  to  and  all shortcomings resolved.

(d) & (e):  The recommendations of Raghavan Panel are being implemented by all the Regulatory Bodies including UGC. The Anti-Ragging Monitoring Committee was set up in compliance of Supreme Court Judgement in Civil Appeal No. 887/2009 for Govt. of India.  The Committee is mandated to look into the various aspects of ragging, possible action  that  can  be  taken  against  persons  indulging  in  ragging  and  against  college/ university authorities in the event of ragging and to hold regular meetings.  The last meeting was held in the month of November, 2023.  All the Regulatory Bodies attended this meeting.

(f)  to  (h):    UGC  issues  instructions  to  all  the  HEIs  for  strict  compliance  of  UGC Regulations 2009 for constitution of anti-ragging committee, anti-ragging squad, setting up of Anti-Ragging Cell and adequate publicity for these measures through various media, which can be seen at https://www.ugc.ac.in/page/Ragging-RelatedCirculars.aspx.

Various  Anti-ragging  measures  viz.  establishment  of  24x7  National  anti-ragging helpline,  anti-ragging  workshops  and  seminars,  mandatory  inclusion  of  severe consequences of ragging in prospectus of institutions, mandatory online undertaking by  students  and  parents  every  academic  year,  display  of  anti-ragging  posters  at prominent places in the institutions etc. have been taken to ensure compliance of the UGC Regulations on curbing the menace of ragging in higher educational institutions.

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