Ragging in India

Ragging in India

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Ragging in India
Ragging in India is a form of interaction of the seniors in college or school with the juniors or the newcomers or the first years. It is similar to but not 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 rich history of ragging especially Medical colleges. It has become increasingly unpopular due to several complaints of serious injury to the victims and strict laws regarding ragging.Ragging is now defined as an act that violates or is perceived to violate an individual student's dignity.It is more of a psychopathic behavior and reflection of deviant personalities.

History
Ragging was originally adopted from western society as was popular in English schools. The English had a custom of canning and insulting in public, the freshmen before he/she could be friends with the seniors, who judged him/her according to his/her behavior and compliance with the seniors. The freshmen were also liable to clean the rooms, arrange shelves and also perform other tasks which the senior thinks are a waste of time but essential still. The idea was to teach the social hierarchy in early career, and also learn other important values in life. This was adopted in India by the students at higher education institutes in British raj, when they were controlled by the English. Many colleges such as AIIMS, Christian Medical College had a rich history of ragging, with most of the alumni regarding the time of ragging as the best of their life. Most are fast friends with the people who ragged them. But with time the concept of ragging has been lost and students indulge in violent and degrading form of it.

Present State
A report from 2007 highlights 42 instances of physical injury, and reports on ten deaths purportedly the result of ragging:[1] Ragging has...