Prevention of Ragging: Ragging is defined as any disorderly conduct that involves teasing, threatening, or handling a fellow student with rudeness, either through spoken or written words or through actions. The State of Kerala has taken a strong stance against ragging by enacting the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act in 1998. This Act places the responsibility on the institution’s head to prevent and eliminate ragging.
Legal Consequences: Under Section 4 of the Act, any individual found guilty of committing, participating in, abetting, or promoting ragging can be penalized with imprisonment for a duration of up to two years, along with a fine of up to ten thousand rupees. Furthermore, Section 5 of the Act stipulates that a student convicted of ragging can face expulsion from the institution for three years. During this period, they are prohibited from seeking admission to any other educational institution.
Additional Legal Implications: In addition to the Act’s provisions, students engaging in ragging may also face legal consequences under the Indian Penal Code for any other offences they commit in connection with the act of ragging.
These stringent measures are in place to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students and to deter any form of ragging, which can have serious physical, emotional, and psychological repercussions on the victims. The Act and its associated penalties aim to cultivate a culture of mutual respect and harmony within educational institutions.