Students in India have the right to study in a safe and harassment-free environment. Ragging is prohibited in educational institutions and can include physical or mental abuse, humiliation, intimidation, threats, or forcing a student to perform unwanted activities.
If a student faces ragging, they have the right to:
- Report the incident to the college anti-ragging committee, anti-ragging squad, principal, or other designated authority.
- Seek protection from further harassment or retaliation.
- Complain anonymously or confidentially, where the available complaint mechanism permits it.
- Contact the National Anti-Ragging Helpline if the college does not take appropriate action.
- Approach the police if the conduct involves assault, threats, sexual harassment, wrongful confinement, or other criminal offences.
- Receive appropriate disciplinary and legal action against students found responsible.
Students should preserve evidence such as messages, recordings, photographs, medical reports, or details of witnesses where it is safe to do so. If there is an immediate threat to safety, contacting the police or emergency services should take priority.
