Following the Gujarat High Court’s order to the government in a hearing on the issue of ragging in higher education institutions, the state government framed directive rules for universities and colleges, and issued a government resolution (GR) on Mar 19.

As per the new rules, in any incident of ragging in any higher or technical educational institution in the state, the government's education department regulations are to be implied in the proceedings instead of the guidelines issued by councils and commissions.

In 2009, after the Supreme Court’s order, the central government prepared guidelines on the ragging issue. Based on them, various councils and commissions, including the Medical Council of India (MCI), UGC (university grants commission), and the All India Council of Technical Educational (AICTE), have issued guidelines to prevent ragging.

In a previous hearing of a petition on Mar 5, the Gujarat High Court had ordered the state government to issue its rules and policies. Accordingly, the education department has framed norms to prevent ragging.

Government guidelines to curb ragging

These rules include many provisions as per the guidelines of the UGC and councils. In particular, universities and colleges will have to constitute an anti-ragging committee, a monitoring cell, and an anti-ragging squad on this issue.

Higher and technical educational institutions will have to take all possible steps to ensure a “ragging-free” campus. At the time of admission, students will have to be briefed about the 'strict prohibition of ragging’ policy.

In addition, universities and colleges will have to provide information in the admission brochure (leaflet) about all authority personnel, including the warden, academic head, police authority, concerned district authority, and members of the anti-ragging committee, so that juniors will not have to approach their seniors in such matters.

A letter is to be sent to the parents/guardians by the heads of universities and colleges at the end of each academic year regarding the rules and punishments for ragging activities.

Vice-chancellors are to be notified every week for three months from the beginning of the academic year. The university chancellor is also to be notified of ragging issues by the VC.

A report will also be sought from the universities and colleges by the Directors of Technical Education and Higher Education.

Punishments for ragging as per govt’s directive

For colleges-institutions

- Prohibition on the guilty student from attending classes and availing educational benefits

- Stopping their scholarship or fellowship, and other benefits

- Ban on taking exams

- If the exams have been conducted, withhold the result

- Do not allow the guilty student to participate in any event or festival

- Cancel their admission

- In addition to suspension, disallow their admission to any other institution for up to five years

For universities

- If a college violates government rules to prevent ragging or remains impartial, their affiliation shall be cancelled

- Cancel all other benefits along with the cancellation of recognition

- Cease college grant or any assistance provided by the university

- Ban on admission to college courses

- The university can impose any punishment it deems necessary within its powers

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