Anti Ragging Commitee – 2023-24

Convener: Prof. Ankita Patil

Committee Members :

1) Mr. Omkar Pathak
2) Mr. Rahul Thakare
3) Mrs Saba Ansari
4) Mr Nilesh Kabadi
5) Mr. Wasim Shaikh
6) Mr.. Aditya Gaikawad
7) Miss. Shreya Bhoir

The legal definition of ragging is as follows:

“Ragging” means the doing of any act which causes, or is likely to cause any physical, psychological or physiological harm of apprehension or shame or Embarrassment to a student and includes,

1. Teasing or abusing of playing Practical joke on or causing hurt to any student.
2. Asking any student to do any act, or perform anything, which he/she would not, in the ordinary course, be willing to do or perform.

Ragging is different from other crimes because the motive is solely to get perverse pleasure. Ragging is also different from other crimes as it is actively promoted by certain sections of the society

Following types of abuses and activities will be termed as ragging:

1. Physical abuse, for example, forcing to eat, drinks or smoke, forcing to dress or undress.
2. Verbal abuse, for example swear words and phrases, direct or indirect derogatory references to the person’s appearance, attire, religion, caste, family or chosen field of study
3. Forced activity, for example

Chores for seniors e.g. copying notes, cleaning rooms, etc.
Missing classes. Not being allowed to study.
Staying awake late or getting up at unreasonable times.
Singing or dancing or performing in any other way.
Using foul language or shouting or cheering loudly.
Misbehaving with strangers, particularly women.
Reading or browsing porno-graphic/objectionable material.

Ragging also constitutes one or more of any of the following acts:

1. Any conduct by any student or students whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student;
2. Indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities by any student or students which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship, physical or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in any fresher or any other student;
3. Asking any student to do any act which such student will not in the ordinary course do and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame, or torment or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche of such fresher or any other student;
4. Any act by a senior student that prevents, disrupts or disturbs the regular academic activity of any other student or a fresher;
5. Exploiting the services of a fresher or any other student for completing the academic tasks assigned to an individual or a group of students.
6. Any act of financial extortion or forceful expenditure burden put on a fresher or any other student by students;
7. Any act of physical abuse including all variants of it: sexual abuse, homosexual assaults, stripping, forcing obscene and lewd acts, gestures, causing bodily harm or any other danger to health or person;
8. Any act or abuse by spoken words, emails, posts, public insults which would also include deriving perverted pleasure, vicarious or sadistic thrill from actively or passively participating in the is comfiture to fresher or any other student;
9. Any act that affects the mental health and 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.

OBSERVATION AND DIRECTIVES OF THE SUPREME COURT:

The Supreme Court of India has observed that enrolment in academic pursuits or a campus life should not immunize any adult citizen from the penal provisions of the laws of the land. According to the directions of the Supreme Court if any instance of ragging is brought to the notice of the administration or the faculty, it is legally binding on us to report the matter to the Local Police.

Our Directives to the seniors:

1. Any interaction between fresher’s and seniors where the seniors are friendly, welcoming and non-aggressive is encouraged.
2. Seniors may solicit participation in clubs and other activities by announcing promotional events at well designated times and places.

However, no fresher should be forced to attend. Participation by fresher’s can only be voluntary.

3. Seniors are expected to maintain self-imposed discipline and restraint. In particular, they must be careful about:
1. Any “interaction” outside public areas.
2. Visiting fresher’s rooms during the interaction period, or inviting fresher’s to their rooms.
3. Forcing fresher’s to sing dance or perform in any way under the guise of “talent search” or “interaction”.
4. Being over-enthusiastic about making fresher’s participating in student activities – cultural or sports.

General Conduct Rules and Guidelines

Wada College of Management and Science believe in treating its students like young adults. In general most students find life orderly and congenial in the campus. While the students, as adult citizens of the country enjoy their rights, they also are expected to be aware of their responsibilities. The institute will not support any act that is illegal as construed by the law of the land. As adults, the students are expected to have a fair sense of which act is legal and what is illegal. They should conduct themselves both inside and outside the Institute in a manner that is befitting an institute of this stature. In addition to being mature and responsible in conduct, the students are expected to respect the rights of the other members of the RVR&JC community. The Institute encourages an all round development of students’ personality and their progressive and creative thinking. At the same time, in order that they effectively discharge civic responsibilities and virtues, the Institute sets its own terms of conduct that must be adhered to by the students. The Institute can take action, if these terms are violated, through different Committees.

Social Conduct

1. Ragging is illegal and punishable in strictest and most exemplary terms as per the ruling of the Supreme Court of India.
2. Each student must show due respect and courtesy to the Institute teachers, administrators, officers, employees, visitors, and residents. They must not infringe upon the rights of fellow students.
3. In the event of proceeding on unscheduled leave on account of illness, family matter, etc, student must inform the Warden, faculty adviser and the concerned Head of the Department.
4. The Institute facilities/amenities such as library, internet, playgrounds, hostels, laboratories and classrooms must be used responsibly. Any willful damage and misuse of the facilities/amenities constitutes an act of indiscipline.
5. In the event of an illegal activity in the campus, the institute is obligated to permit the police and judiciary intervention.
6. In the event of students’ involvement in any activity outside the campus which is punishable by the law of the land, the institute shall in no way provide any support to them and will not be responsible either for any action.
7. All major acts of indiscipline, which may have serious implications on the general body of students, and which may warrant a uniform and more formalized nature of investigation, shall be handled by the Students Disciplinary Committee. Based on the recommendations of this committee the Principal as the Chairman, Management approves the punishment recommended.
8. For an offence committed (a) in the Department or a classroom and (b) elsewhere, the Head of the Department shall have the authority to reprimand or impose fine or take any other suitable measure. All cases involving punishment other than reprimand shall be reported to the Chairman of the Standing Disciplinary Committee.

Punishment for Ragging

Depending upon the nature and gravity of the offence as established the possible punishments for those found guilty of ragging at the institution level shall be any one or any combination of the following :-

1. Cancellation of admission
2. Suspension from attending classes
3. Withholding/withdrawing scholarship/fellowship and other benefits
4. Debarring from appearing in any test/examination or other evaluation process
5. Withholding results
6. Debarring from representing the institution in any regional, national or international meet, tournament, youth festival, etc.
7. Suspension/expulsion from the hostel
8. Rustication from the institution for period ranging from 1 to 4 semesters
9. Expulsion from the institution and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution.
10. Collective punishment: when the persons committing or abetting the crime of ragging are not identified, the institution shall resort to collective punishment as a deterrent to ensure community pressure on the potential raggers.

An appeal against the order of punishment by the Anti-Ragging Committee shall lie,
1. In case of an order of an institution, affiliated to or constituent part, of the University, to the Vice-Chancellor of the University;
2. In case of an order of a University, to its Chancellor.
3. In case of an institution of national importance created by an Act of Parliament, to the Chairman or Chancellor of the institution, as the case may be.

The institutional authorities shall intimate the incidents of ragging occurred in their premises along with actions taken to the Council form time to time.

Objectives of Anti – Ragging Activities:

1. Meeting of Anti- Ragging Committee Creating ragging free atmosphere in and outside of the campus.

2. Seniors are expected to maintain self-imposed discipline and restraint. In particular, they must be careful about:

Creating cordial relations among students for fulfilling organizational mission and objectives.
Creating awareness among students regarding how the self confidence of the individual influences the national interest.

3. Mr Awate Police Sub Inspector, Wada Police Station conducted interaction meetings with Anti Ragging Committee members and Students advised them to create a ragging free environment.

4. Anti-ragging squads comprising of faculty members, non-teaching staffs and senior students have been formed to make surprise visits to very sensitive location within the campus and outside the campus.

5. Number of display boards giving detail descriptions of anti ragging activities, Supreme Court directives and penalty liable to be imposed on those involved in such activities have been displayed at various places within the campus.