MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b): In order to curb the menace of ragging, the University Grants Commission
(UGC) has notified the “UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher
Educational Institutions, 2009â€, which is available at UGC’s website – www.ugc.ac.in.
The Regulations contain actions against both individuals, including teachers and
employees, and institutions in the event of an incident, if proved to be a case of
ragging. Similarly, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical
Council of India (MCI), Dental Council of India (DCI), Nursing Council of India (NCI),
etc., have also notified anti-ragging regulations. An Anti-Ragging (24x7) Helpline has
also been launched by the UGC in 2009 to provide immediate help to the victims of
ragging. The UGC, each year, launches a media campaign through print and digital media,
informing the public at large, about the consequence of ragging and about the helpline.
The Ministry, each year, writes to the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police
of all States/UTs, requesting them to take measures to prevent the incidence of ragging.
A Monitoring Agency has been engaged to track and follow-up proper action on the
complaints received by the Anti-Ragging Helpline.
As per the information furnished to this Ministry by the Monitoring Agency, with regard
to Central Universities, a total of 105 complaints have been received since 2009 till
date. The CU-wise, year-wise, details of complaints received is given in the Annexure.
From the annexure, it may be seen that maximum number of complaints have been received
in 2010-11 and during the current year.
(c) to (e): The Ministry is very sensitive to the incidents of ragging. Besides putting
up an anti-ragging mechanism to handle the incidences of ragging effectively at the
institution level, it has also engaged a Monitoring Agency to follow up the complaints
with the concerned institutions, including the Central Universities which reports to the
UGC and other regulatory bodies, in case it finds the action taken by the institutions/CUs
not satisfactory.
As regards Pondicherry University, a representation from the Students Federation
of India was received in the Ministry on 07/11/2013 regarding ragging, sexual harassment
and intimidation of two girl-students. A letter from Shri C.P. Narayanan, Member of
Parliament (RS) has also been received on 14/11/2013, raising the same matter. Soon after
receipt of the representation from the Students Federation of India, a report was called
for from the University. Pondicherry University has informed the Ministry that the matter
was inquired into by the Anti Ragging Committee of the University and it was found that
the incident was not a case of ragging, rather, it was a quarrel between two groups of
students. Accordingly, they have taken action against the students found guilty by the
Discipline Committee of violating the discipline of the University. The University further
added that it is quite sympathetic to the issues relating to ragging and sexual harassment
and has taken proactive measures. The grievances of the students, including that of ragging
and sexual harassment, can be reported to any member of the ARC or the Sexual Harassment
Prevention Committee (HSPC) whose names, contact numbers and email IDs are available in the
University’s website, hostels and academic building, library and in the academic calendar
issued to all students. This information is also available in the admission prospectus.
Posters indicating zero-tolerance towards ragging have been displayed at all public places
and central facilities.
