“Ragging” is often portrayed as harmless fun or tradition, but the law now treats it very differently. Many countries and regions have strict anti-ragging regulations, recognising that humiliation, abuse and violence in the name of bonding can leave deep scars.
Ragging can include physical assault, forced tasks, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, or targeted bullying of juniors. Institutions are required to prevent it through awareness programmes, strict monitoring in hostels and campuses, and clear disciplinary rules.
Students found guilty may face suspension, rustication, cancellation of admission, or blacklisting. Beyond campus discipline, serious incidents can lead to criminal charges. Staff or administrators who ignore complaints or try to suppress them may also be held accountable.
For new students, it’s important to know that complaining is not “being weak”; it is exercising a legal right to safety and dignity. For seniors, the message is equally clear: what older batches might have tolerated in the past is no defence. Law and social norms have decisively moved on.