A Study on Ragging Among College Students in Kerala

Abstract

Ragging is an inclusive alarm for everyone in the field of education that severely affects students as they move into tertiary education. Despite the legislation and the judiciary supportive of anti-ragging, the existing status of ragging is a matter that needs to be addressed. This study introduces the need to increase the awareness and understanding of students on the highly inhumanity of ragging. It outlines the different forms of ragging, the extensive effects it leads to, and the psychological aspects that cause some student engage in the activity. Furthermore, it highlights the serious consequences of ragging on the reputation of higher educational institutions and emphasizes the urgency of tackling this problem to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

Full text

A Study on Ragging Among College
Students in Kerala
Mr. Renjith Thamarakshan*, Dr. Swikar Lama**,
Mr. Jayesh Kumar***
Abstract
Ragging is an inclusive alarm for everyone in the eld of education that severely affects
students as they move into tertiary education. Despite the legislation and the judiciary
supportive of anti-ragging, the existing status of ragging is a matter that needs to be
addressed. This study introduces the need to increase the awareness and understanding
of students on the highly inhumanity of ragging. It outlines the different forms of
ragging, the extensive effects it leads to, and the psychological aspects that cause some
student engage in the activity. Furthermore, it highlights the serious consequences of
ragging on the reputation of higher educational institutions and emphasizes the urgency
of tackling this problem to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
Keywords: Ragging, judiciary, inhumanity
*Student, M.Sc. Criminology and Police Studies, Department of Criminology and Police Studies, Sardar
Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
**Assistant Professor of Criminology, Department of Criminology and Police Studies, Sardar Patel University
of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
***Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Criminology and Police Studies, Sardar Patel University of
Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
INTRODUCTION
Ragging is one of the types of
abusethatfacesrst-yearstudents
in edu cational ins titutions ev en
though legislation and court support
have been provided. The problem is
particularly in several Asian areas,
such as Sri Lanka and India, where
tragedies, such as college student
Aman Kachroo’s passing, and a
teenage civil engineering student’s
suicide effort continue (Sharma,
N. 2010). Ragging is described as
disorderly manners that might bother,
harm, or compromise the psychology
of or cause a junior or freshman form
an apprehension or fear. This research
examines the effect of ragging in
higher educational institutions and
the reason for it in Kerala and appears
at the diverse risks and dangers of
ragging in higher education, including
psychological instability, physical
harm, incapacity of long-term nature
even to the level of suicide.

Ragging in colleges may be in
dress code ragging, verbal torture,
sexual abuse, and drug abuse, among
many more. Raggers may show
authority, satisfy sadistic pleasures,
fear of peer pressure, or fashion
over an incident. From deserving
a joke, it has turned out as a tricky
business with lifelong menace
towards students, families, and overall
educational involvements. Ultimately,
men t al trauma, physical harm s,
inferiority, rejection, demoralization,
dropout rates, and even suicide may
be prevalent from victims. Institutions
might have their sanctions lifted
from media coverage; they might
be suspended, blacklisted, or get
permanently closed shrunk.
Ragging a type of humiliation
common in South Asia, is a regularly
occurring phenomenon in and around
educational institutions. The situation
is worsened by the express desire of
some pupils to use ragging less and
others to penalize it more harshly.
The Indian government created the
National Anti-Ragging Helpline in
2009,whichworkstoassistsuerers
and respond promptly to incidents.
A variety of current legislation and
laws have been passed to combat
raggingintheUnitedStates.Therst
state to implement the instruction
on ragging was Tamil Nadu in 1997.
The Supreme Court of India has also
made noteworthy eorts to improve
the operations of anti-ragging. Later
recommendations included an appeal
to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
introduceraggingasaspecicsection
of the penal code.
By 2006, a Supreme Court order
in India mandated the H.R.D. Ministry
of the Government of India to form
a Quiz Group for the elimination of
Ragging in colleges. Subsequently,
through the recommendations from
the Raghavan committee under the
chairpersonship of Dr. Raghavan
were directed by the Supreme Court
to be implemented. The Supreme
Court later in 2007 directed all
higher education institutions to
maintain accounts of the number of
ragging incidents and publish them
in all brochures and prospectuses for
admissions. The University Grants
Commission incorporated the UGC
REGULATION ON CURBING
THE MENACE OF RAGGING
IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS, 2009 which
implemented stringent pre-emptive
methods.
The University Grants
Commission has upheld the ban on
ragging on higher learning campuses
regarding their earlier report rejecting
all types of ragging perpetrated
by the learners. Convicts would
not be admitted to any educational
institutions and not allowed to attend
classes or hostels and postponed
scholarships. Anti-ragging brigades
have made an outcry to all school
learners and shrivelled survivors to
exert the statute of data to establish
A Study on Ragging Among College Students in Kerala / 299

300 / 
that organizations enforce regulations.
The Supreme Court of India passed
strict laws to avoid ragging on an
institution’s grounds.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A study by Zulfi, A.R.M. (2021)
re v eal s th at f ema l e f r esh men
students from rural areas are the
majority of ragging victims in Sri
Lankan universities. However, 80%
of univers ity students and staff
are unaware of the statutory and
institutional controls in place to
prevent and report ragging. The UGC
hotline number is not memorised,
makingitdiculttocontrol.Sharma,
K & Sharma, R. C. (2017) found that
medical students are more aware of
the legal restrictions against ragging
but still don't report it. Balamithra et
al. (2019) found that 97% of dental
students did not encounter ragging,
and 45% would complain to the dean,
anti-ragging committee, teachers, or
warden. Wickramasinghe et al. (2022)
found that 59% of Jana University
students experienced ragging, with
emotional or verbal ragging being
the most common. The prevalence
of ragging varies depending on the
faculty's tenure and the target of the
student. Edirisinghe (2022) study on
ragging and sexual abuse in higher
education institutions in Sri Lanka
found that the University of Kelaniya
has taken steps to curb ragging and
sexual abuse, but the implementation
of a long-term action plan will depend
on the level of years and faculties.
Navaz (2020) in his study on
ragging in Sri Lankan universities
found that senior students use ragging
as a method to control junior students'
behavior and attitude, negatively
impacting their learning and
classroom interaction. Waghamode
et al. (2015) in their study on ragging
in India found that ragging is a
serious barrier to education and can
be curable if parents, teachers, the
judiciary, and law enforcement
prioritize it. Taseen et al. (2021) in
his study found that most students
experienced mild to moderate level
ragging on orientation day, with males
experiencing it more frequently than
girls. The establishment of an anti-
ragging committee can help prevent
the negative effects of ragging.
Wickramasinghe et al. (2022) in his
study on students' perceptions of
ragging at a Sri Lankan university
found that students use ragging as a
form of power expression in a highly
competitive social environment,
contributing to student dissatisfaction,
violence, and disobedience. Hogade
(2022) in his study on the response
of the awareness program conducted
for the academic year 2021-2022
admitted IMG students and their
parents showed that awareness was
slightly lower among students and
parents. Hettiarachchi (2020) in her
study on ragging and harassment

in a State University in Western
Province, Sri Lanka, found that verbal
assault, name-calling, rumors, and
peer pressure have a psychological
impact on undergraduates.
METHODOLOGY
Statement of the problem:
In order to intimidate unorganized
newcomers to educational institutions,
senior students who engage in ragging
subject them to various sorts of
mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
Typically,thejuniorsaretooterried
to fight against this coordinated
bunch of tormentors. The repeated
physical and mental abuse of the same
group of pupils by the same and/or
various seniors, including those of
the opposing sex, frequently lasts for
months and involves only innocent
students. In terms of verbal, physical,
and sexual aggressiveness, ragging
might be considered. Each of these
elements may be present in one action.
Ragging is not simply a problem in
educational settings. Bullying at work
is also receiving more attention.
Scope of Study:
• This study will focus on the
perspective of students about
Ragging.
•Thisstudywillexplorethe
dicultiesfacedby studentsby
Ragging.
 • Thisstudywillgivesuggestions
for reducing ragging in college/
University.
Research Question:
• Whataretheproblemsfacedby
students by Ragging?
 • WhatkindofRaggingismore?
 • Whethercollege/University
is following the rules and
regulations of Ragging?
 • HowRaggingcanbereduced?
Research Objectives:
 • To nd the diculties faced by
students due to ragging
•Tocomeupwithsolutionsto
reduce Ragging among college
students.
Methodology:
The data is analysed using mixed
method. That is, both qualitative and
quantitative method. The response was
collected using questionnaire from
various students studying in college/
University across the state of Kerala.
Responses from 64 students were
collected. The data is processed using
MicrosoftoceExcelandMicrosoft
oceWord.Theoutcomewillbe
statistical and thematic study was done
for qualitative analysis. Secondary
data were collected from previous
done studies and journals. Convenient
sampling method was used to collect
data from students indierentcolleges
across Kerala.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Question Response frequency %
Age
18 4 6%
19 2 3%
20 8 13%
21 8 13%
22 16 25%
23 16 25%
24 8 13%
28 2 3%
Have you faced any kind of Ragging No 12 19%
Yes 52 81%
Place of Ragging Campus 26 50%
Hostel 20 38%
Home Area 2 4%
Bus 2 4%
Multiple Location 2 4%
Form of Ragging Physical 6 12%
Psychological 8 16%
Sexual 6 12%
Virtual 30 60%
Aggressiveness of Ragging Less Aggressive 26 52%
Moderate Aggressive 22 44%
Very Aggressive 2 4%
Basis of Ragging Appearance 12 30%
 EgoFullment 4 10%
Economic Background 2 5%
Gender 6 15%
Language 8 20%
Region 2 5%
Politics 2 5%
Religion 4 10%
Studies 2 5%
Unknown 2 5%
Motive of Ragging Superiority Complex 28 63%

Sadistic Attitude 11 25%
Projection of Sexual Desires 3 8%
Political Disagreement 2 4%
Physiological Impact after Ragging Physical Injury 8 29%
Heart Attack 4 14%
Long Term Disabilities 4 14%
Nothing 12 43%
Build Friendship with those who ragged No 18 33%
Yes 36 67%
Intoxicated during Ragging (Committer) Yes 4 7%
No 38 70%
Maybe 12 22%
Awareness about the Happening of ragging Yes 16 30%
in that institution before taking admission No 38 70%
Gone for Counselling after Ragging Yes 8 15%
No 46 85%
Did the Counseling helped them Yes 8 50%
No 8 50%
Emotional state during ragging
The emotional state of students during ragging is based on their emotional
strength. Students had multiple emotions during ragging. 68% students reported
that the emotional state during ragging was Tensed/stressed. 44% students
reported they were having fear. 64% students were frustrated. 48% students
were sad and 28% felt helpless.
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Emotional state after ragging
After victimization students will go through multiple emotions. 41.7%
students were felt Anxiety. 50% felt stress. 20.8% felt isolation. 29.2% felt
depressed. 58.3% felt unpleasant memories. 45.8% students turned to a revenge
emotion. 12.5% felt to do suicide. 4.2% felt anger. 4.2% student felt/gained
condence.
Reporting of ragging to college/University authorities
After the ragging the students should have reported it to the college
authorities. 61.5% of students reported the incident to the university/college.
38.5% students didn’t report it to the university/college.

Action taken by university
If the students reported the
university should have taken action
against the students who done the
ragging. 31% students reported that
their university suspended them
from attending class. 15% of
students reported that their university
suspended/expelled them from the
hostel.15% of students reported that
their university reported the case to
the police.8% of students reported that
their university/college cancelled their
admission. 8% of students reported
that their university/college debarred
those students from examination.
8% of students reported that their
university/college didn’t take any
action against the students who
ragged.
Satisfaction of students with the actions taken by university
56.25% students are satised with the action taken by university/college and 43.75% were not satised.
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Reporting to parents
69% students reported the incident to their parents and 31% didn’t reported.
Reaction of parents
Some parents are more concern
about their child when sending to a
new place or atmosphere. They will
support their child and enquire about
the incident more. They will report
it to the college authorities to take
necessary actions against the students
who ragged. Parents who are more
straightforward and protective will
move forward with ling complaint
to police station for necessary legal
action. Some parents will be having
a kind of safety feel about their child
always. So, they will say to face this
problem to grow up. Some need their
child to be concentrated on studies
and leave everything aside. So they
convince that ragging is a part of life
and don’t waste time in those thing.
Some parents will be tensed about
their child and tell to don’t react to
any seniors.
Reason why students didn’t
report to their parents
Most of the students felt fear to tell
about Ragging to their parents. Some
students thought that if they tell these
things, their parents might be tensed
and make the problem worse. Some
students felt that the problem can be
handled by themselves and no need to
report it to their parents.
CONCLUSION
Ragging still exists in colleges in
Kerala. It has a great impact among
the student community. Ragging is
the kind of incident that can make
someone's life miserable since it has
enduring consequences, or you might
say it just happens once but leaves
permanent scars. Some victims or
students experience condence loss,
social isolation, depression, or just
nditdiculttoconcentrateontheir

studies, physical injuries including
heart attack and long term disabilities,
which has an adverse eect on their
career.
Now a days people are coming
forward to gain education by
understanding the importance of
education. But, ragging is the negative
thing waiting for them in their college
which demotivates them from gaining
education. Some students turn their
stress and emotions to revenge. Thus,
they also repeat the same to their
juniors and it continues. 81.3% of
students face ragging in their college/
universities. Students are feared to
report it to authorities. And even if
reported not every college/universities
are taking proper actions according
to the law. 43.75% students are not
satisedtotheactiontookbycollege/
university. Even if they report to
their parents, some parents tried to
convince that ragging is a part of
college life.
Most of the ragging happened was
on the basis of personal appearance.
Even in this modern era people are
bullying on their appearance and
that too in a state with highest rate
of literacy in India. This shows the
intensity and prevalence of ragging
among college students in Kerala.
Most of the students reported that the
motive of ragging is the superiority
complex/dominance of seniors
towards juniors.
Ragging should be eradicated
from the society. Ragging is
indirectly affecting the growth of
nation. Country like India should
be focused on development and
growth. Every citizen should work
accordingly for the same. It can be
made possible by taking more or strict
rules and regulations on Ragging and
by making tight security measures to
stop ragging. Students should be made
aware about the laws and punishments
forRagginganditsilleects.
Suggestions to Universities:
•GiveawarenessaboutRagging
and its consequences
 • MakingRulesandRegulations
strict
 • Treatallthestudentsasoneand
eliminate the distinction between
juniors and seniors
 • Makethepunishmentsintense
•Makeopportunitiestobuild
interactions between juniors and
seniors
•Improvethesecuritymeasuresfor
Anti Ragging
 • ObeytheUGCGuidelines
•Changethehierarchicalsystemin
college and hostel
 • Make working of Anti Ragging
committeesucient
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A Study on Ragging Among College Students in Kerala / 309