The Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Bill 2009, passed recently by the State Legislative Assembly, spells out in clear terms the concern and commitment of the State Government to curb the menace of ragging in educational institutions.  The provisions contained therein provide for strict punitive action to deter students from indulging in ragging and paving the way for eliminating this menance altogether. 

Not that, measures had not been initiated earlier to check incidence of ragging, the action taken in such cases was more or less institution based and lacked uniformity, which has now been taken care of.  Many institutions had been taking steps to check ragging earlier also.  The initiative of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya  in this regard is commendable.  The unique approach adopted by the university will not only help in preventing ragging in the campus but has also brought the students-new and old-together as active partners in crusade against ragging. 

While dealing with a particular case of ragging, the University not only took action against the offenders for committing the obnoxious act of ragging but also fixed responsibility on the students ragged and other students who witnessed the incident  for not reporting it and preferring to be silent spectators to the whole episode.  This has been as per the Raghvan Committee recommendations which reads “… report incident of ragging.  Those who do not report even when being witnesses or victims, should also be punished suitably.”Gandhian wisdom has also held that and those who bear injustice silently are equally to be blamed.

In November, 2008 a case of ragging was brought to the notice of the Vice Chancellor, who immediately convened a meeting of the University Management Committee and ordered an inquiry into the incident by a three member committee.  On the report of the Inquiry Committee, which confirmed ragging, two  1st year students of Master’s Programme in Agriculture found guilty of indulging in ragging were expelled for the academic year 2008-09  and a fine of Rs 25, 000 was imposed on them. 

Three students of B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture first year, who were themselves the victims of the act were fined Rs. 5000 each with conduct probation of one year for not reporting the incident to the authorities and changing their statements and making false allegations against the Inquiry Committee.

Four students were fined for  Rs.3500 each for suppressing information and not reporting the incident to the authorities despite being members of the Anti-Ragging Committee.  Another 10 students, who were present at the time of ragging but chose to remain silent, were fined Rs. 2500 each for suppressing the information and not reporting the incident.

This example coupled with various other measures like wide publicity of the law pertaining to ragging, running of special Sensitisation Programme for creating awareness among the students and their parents about ragging being cognizable, non-bailable, non compoundable offence and its grave consequences, constitution of Committees for Promotion and Monitoring of Inter- action besides Anti-Ragging Committees at college and hostel levels, setting up of women Anti-Ragging Squad have immensely contributed in preventing ragging at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya.  Pressing in services of professional Counselor from Department of Counseling and Sociology, University of Agricultural Science, Shimoca, Karnataka for training entire faculty to deal with such situations, has been another salient step initiated by the University to curb ragging.

Ragging in Himachal Pradesh will not be tolerated is the clear message of the State Government and the stringent provisions included in the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Bill 2009 indicate its commitment to eliminate the menace of ragging from Devbhoomi. 

As per the provisions, ragging would be a cognisable and  non bailable offence with provision of punishment and fine, which may extend up to three years of imprisonment  and a fine up to Rs 50,000.  Students found guilty of ragging will be expelled for a period of three years and would be ineligible for admission to any other institution.  The Head of the Institutions have been made fully accountable in preventing ragging and, if found guilty, would have to face imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs. 25,000.  Himachal Pradesh would be the second State in the country to pass the prohibition of ragging law.