The term ‘ragging’ has been defined by the UGC of India as “any conduct by any student or students -- whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student."

Ragging may have started out as a harmless way for senior students to get to know their new juniors especially in residential institutions like Colleges of Engineering, Medicine or Law. However, it has developed into a far more concerning issue. More severe forms of ragging could include bullying, abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional, exploitation, etc.

The impact of ragging may vary depending on the degree and extent of humiliation suffered.  Sometimes it stops at friendly teasing, which might actually help new students lose their inhibitions and feel more at home with their seniors. Unfortunately, it usually doesn’t stop there. Performing embarrassing acts or being  insulted in front of others may result in feelings of fear, shame, humiliation, etc.

Students who are frequently subjected to the more severe forms of ragging might end up cutting off from or avoiding contact with others entirely. Some may end up losing their sense of purpose or focus. Few might even experience emotional or psychological trauma, the effects of which could last a lifetime. There are instances of students, who being unable to withstand the torture, succumb to depression, drop out of college or even, in very extreme cases, commit suicide.

Though there are anti-ragging cells in every college now and the Anti-Ragging Act, 2010 is in force in India, there is much to be done to combat the psychological stress and trauma that a victim of ragging faces. Unfortunately, because ragging has become so common, it is sometimes perceived as ‘normal’ and those who suffer as a result of it tend to be labeled as dramatic or abnormal. This perception is completely false and denying or making light of the impact of ragging or worse, suffering the humiliation silently, only deepens the wound.

It is strongly recommended that a student who is facing or has faced ragging, speak to a trusted person or a professional counsellor to learn how to respond to it and to overcome its impact.

Reach out to a counsellor to discuss any issue related to ragging or your own experiences, today!