Ragging in India is a damaging form of interaction of the seniors in college or school with the juniors, new entrants or first years. It is similar to but not the same as hazing in the United States, it is not an initiation. It involves insults (simple or suggestive sexual, sarcastic and even physical), running errands for seniors, and many other complex activities. Highly reputed Indian colleges have a history of ragging especially Medical colleges. It has become increasingly unpopular due to several complaints of serious injury to the victims and stringent laws pertaining to ragging. Ragging is now defined as an act that violates or is perceived to violate an individual student's dignity.
Following Supreme Court orders, a National Anti-Ragging Helpline was launched by the Indian Government. Students being ragged send emails at helpline@antiragging.in to register their complaint,[1] which can be registered without disclosing the name(s) of the victim(s). If the students wants, he or she may even complain without disclosing his or her name,[2] by making an anonymous email id, or by calling the helpline number 1800-180-5522. Effective action is taken by the helpline for the complaints registered to it. Many students even commit suicide due to ragging. It may even damage the mental ability of the students. Some people believe that ragging should be banned but some feel that it is a good way of making fresh entrants feel at home in school or in college.
