How to use your anti-ragging affidavit to stop campus harassment

The Hook

You are a fresher. Orientation week is a blur of new faces, heavy textbooks, and the excitement of finally being on campus. But then, a group of seniors corners you in the hostel common room. They call it an "intro" session. It starts with "harmless" singing but quickly turns into something that makes you feel small, humiliated, or physically unsafe. You remember signing a piece of paper during admission—the Anti-Ragging Affidavit. You probably did it because the clerk told you to, without reading the fine print. That document isn't just bureaucracy; it is your legal contract with the institution. If the seniors are crossing the line, that affidavit is the button you press to make the system move.

What the law actually says

In India, ragging is not a rite of passage; it is a crime. The primary shield you have is the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009. These regulations were born out of the Supreme Court's directions in Vishwa Jagriti Mission vs. Central Government (2001), which made it clear that the responsibility for a ragging-free campus lies squarely on the college administration.

What counts as ragging?

Under Section 3 of the UGC Regulations, ragging includes:

1. Mental/Physical abuse: Any act that causes physical or psychological harm, or raises apprehension or fear.
2. Indignity: Forcing you to do something you wouldn't normally do in public that causes a sense of shame or embarrassment.
3. Financial extortion: Forcing you to pay for a senior's meals, recharge their phone, or do their assignments.
4. Sexual harassment: Any suggestive comments, gestures, or physical contact. If this happens, you should also check the rules for POSH at workplace and college.

The Affidavit System

Every student and their parent must submit an undertaking (affidavit) annually. By signing this, you acknowledge that you know ragging is a crime and that you can be expelled if you participate. More importantly, it binds the college to protect you. If you are a minor (under 18), any form of physical or sexual abuse also triggers Section 19 of the POCSO Act, 2012, which mandates compulsory reporting to the police.

Criminal Liability

Since July 2024, ragging-related offences are covered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Common sections applied include:

• Section 115: Voluntarily causing hurt.
• Section 351: Criminal intimidation.
• Section 79: Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
• Section 3(5): Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention (group ragging).

Step-by-step playbook

1. Confirm your affidavit status

If you haven't already, ensure your affidavit is registered on the national portal. You don't need a notary or stamp paper anymore; it’s a digital process.

• What to do: Visit antiragging.in or amanmovement.org. Fill in your college details and your parent's contact info.
• What you get: A registration number and a PDF copy. Keep this on your phone. It proves you are part of the national monitoring system.

2. Immediate action during a crisis

If you are being ragged right now or feel an "intro" session is going south, do not wait for the morning.

• The Helpline: Call the UGC 24x7 Anti-Ragging Helpline at 1800-180-5522. It is toll-free and available in multiple languages.
• The Email: Send a quick brief to [email protected].
• What to include: Your name, college name, hostel room number (if applicable), and exactly what is happening.
• Support: If the stress is overwhelming, reach out to Mental health helplines (iCall, Vandrevala, NIMHANS) for immediate emotional support.

3. File an internal complaint

Every college is mandated by the UGC to have an Anti-Ragging Committee (ARC) and an Anti-Ragging Squad (ARS). The Squad is supposed to do surprise raids, especially at night.

• What to do: Write a formal letter to the Head of the Institution (Principal/Director). Mention that you are reporting an incident under the UGC Regulations 2009.
• Timeline: The college must start an inquiry within 24 hours of receiving your complaint.
• Expected outcome: If found guilty, the seniors can be suspended, their scholarships can be cancelled, or they can be debarred from exams.

4. File a Police Complaint (The Legal Route)

If the college is trying to "settle" the matter internally or asking you to "compromise" with your seniors, you must go to the police. Ragging is a cognizable offence, meaning the police can arrest the accused without a warrant.

• What to do: Go to the nearest police station. If the incident happened on campus, you can file a How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).
• The "Zero FIR" trick: If the police station says the college isn't in their jurisdiction, insist on a Zero FIR. They must record the complaint and transfer it to the correct station later.
• Evidence: Keep any WhatsApp screenshots, recordings, or photos of physical marks. If there are injuries, demand a medical examination (MLC) at a government hospital.

5. Escalation if the college stays silent

If the college administration ignores your complaint or threatens you for reporting, they are in violation of UGC norms.

• What to do: Write to the Vice-Chancellor of the University your college is affiliated with. Simultaneously, tag the UGC and the Ministry of Education on social media with your complaint reference number.
• RTI Power: If you want to know what action the college took on your complaint, you can File an RTI online addressed to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the University.

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