UGC issues new anti-ragging guidelines, says abusive social media messages count as ragging

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new guidelines clarifying that sending abusive or harassing messages on social media will also be considered an act of ragging.

UGC said that any act or abuse by spoken words, emails, post, public insults which would also include deriving perverted pleasure, vicarious or sadistic thrill from actively or passively participating in the discomfiture to fresher or any other student.

The UGC has reportedly directed higher education institutions to monitor informal WhatsApp groups and other messaging platforms that may be created by seniors with the intention of harassing juniors. Any such activity will be treated as ragging and will attract strict disciplinary action under anti-ragging regulations.

Officials noted that the UGC receives multiple complaints each year from freshers reporting harassment by seniors.

UGC also mentioned that any act that affects the mental health & self-confidence of a fresher or any other student with or without an intent to derive a sadistic pleasure or showing off power, authority or superiority by a student over any fresher or any other student were also flagged.