Explained: Amid Jadavpur University death row, know anti-ragging laws in India; how govt protects students

The death of the student in Jadavpur University has sparked a massive row across the country, kicking up a debate about ragging and sexual assault of younger students on the college campus. Meanwhile, over a dozen students have been arrested in relation to the death of a minor on the JU campus.

Earlier this month, a minor boy enrolled in a first-year course at Jadavpur University fell to his death from the campus hostel in the midst of an intense bout of ragging, which caused acute mental and physical distress to the victim.

The student had reportedly fled the hostel room where he was getting bullied and wandered near the edge of the balcony, where the seniors followed him. In a state of panic, he allegedly slipped and fell to his death, the police said.

Further, a case of sexual assault has also been registered since the body of the boy was found without clothes. It was reported that he was made to strip by the other students during the bullying incident, after which he ran and fell off the balcony.

As the ragging debate around the Jadavpur University intensifies, here is all you need to know about the anti-ragging laws that protect the students in India.

Anti-ragging laws in India explained

The laws defined against ragging in India come under the Prohibition of Ragging Act of 1997 and its amendments. According to the definition mentioned in the law, the act of ragging is “any disorderly conduct 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".

The amendments made in the Prohibition of Ragging Act further state that any person involved in or abets ragging in any form shall be liable for up to two years in prison or a monetary fine, or both. The fine may extend up to Rs 10,000.

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