[ToI] Anti-ragging law

Link to post

NEW DELHI: Students who cross the line of decency while ragging their juniors could well find themselves behind bars in the near future. The Supreme Court-appointed panel to check ragging in educational institutions plans to propose making physical or sexual harassment while ragging a cognizable offence.

‘‘It has been observed that ragging often ends up in sexual or physical harassment for the victim. It is important for us to curb the menace at the earliest by formulating a law against physical or sexual harassment while ragging,’’ Rajendra Prasad, a member of the panel, told TOI.

Prasad said in the most serious cases of ragging, either the juniors are forced to strip or make obscene dance postures or indulge in sex. A law against such harassment will act as a deterrent.

The proposal seeks to empower the law to arrest perpetrators of such offences without warrant. ‘‘Ragging mostly leads to sexual abuse or harassment. Therefore it should be made a cognizable offence. As of now, we do not have any hard law to curb it,”said Aruna Broota, clinical psychologist, who has been advising the panel.