Latest news with #Anti-RaggingWeek
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Complaint boxes, helplines, vigilance squads: Delhi University rolls out anti-ragging measures ahead of new session
With the new academic session set to kick off in a few days, Delhi University has rolled out anti-ragging measures designed to enforce discipline and ensure the safety of thousands of new students. Following a meeting of the university's Proctorial Board on July 28, attended by senior officials from Delhi Police and the varsity's administration, the Registrar's office issued guidelines outlining new steps for 2025-26 to 'strictly enforce rules and regulations…' The measures include old and new strategies: campus surveillance, anonymous complaint mechanisms, parental undertakings, digital helplines, and coordinated vigilance squads. Starting August 1, the university will operate two Joint Control Rooms — one each in the North and South Campuses — until August 8. Further, Anti-Ragging Day will be observed on August 12, followed by Anti-Ragging Week from August 12-18, as per the University Grants Commission's instructions. The university's anti-ragging framework — summarised in a detailed circular — includes multiple reporting channels. Students can call the UGC's 24×7 helpline, email the Proctor, or use the Anti-Ragging and Himmat mobile apps. Local control rooms and the campus police vehicle 'VAMIKA' have also been mobilised. Sealed complaint boxes are being placed in front of principals' offices, especially in undergraduate colleges with hostels, 'for the benefit of potential victims of ragging to enable them to put their complaints/ suggestions to college authorities,' the circular reads. The responsibility of addressing these complaints lies with designated officials in each college. This year's protocol is part of a broader architecture that's been built for years. Institutions have been told to erect banners, billboards and posters 'exhorting students to prevent or not to indulge in ragging,' and to ensure that 'each student carries his/her own identity card'. Entry to the college premises is to be regulated via ID verification by security personnel. 'Any acts of indiscipline, ragging will be dealt with strictly under the University's Statutes (and) Ordinances,' the Registrar said in the latest release, adding that hoardings in English and Hindi have been placed in 'strategic locations' across both campuses. The university has also warned that consequences for ragging may include suspension, expulsion, cancellation of degree, cancellation of admission, and debarment from examinations. College heads are required to submit weekly anti-ragging compliance reports for the first three months of the session, and monthly thereafter. All students and hostel residents must also now submit a parent/guardian-signed anti-ragging undertaking at the time of admission. In 2021, too, DU had issued similar guidelines and instructions to appoint a Disciplinary Resource Person (DRP) in every college, hostel, and department — tasked with liaising with the Proctor's office. The 2021 guidelines also encouraged a more empathetic approach: colleges were advised to assign new students a personal consultant or mentor, helping them emotionally adjust to their new environment. The guidelines emphasised that 'specific care should be taken to avoid harassment of any student based on caste, sex, religion,' and that in such cases, 'preventive actions are more important than punitive actions'.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
New students, parents to sign anti-ragging declarations: Delhi University issues fresh guidelines
As the new academic session begins, the University of Delhi held a meeting of its Proctorial Board on Monday to chalk out measures for ensuring a smooth and secure induction process for incoming students. With the focus on maintaining campus discipline and preventing incidents of ragging, a slew of decisions were taken to enforce a zero-tolerance approach. Colleges and departments have been directed to strictly implement relevant rules and regulations, particularly Ordinances XV-B and XV-C, and the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Key Measures Announced: Mandatory Anti-Ragging Undertaking: All newly admitted students and their parents/guardians must submit an undertaking against ragging at the time of admission through the national portal as per the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Joint Control Rooms: Two control rooms will operate in North Campus (Tel: 27667221) and South Campus (Tel: 24119832) from August 1 to August 8 to address student concerns and provide immediate assistance. Observance of Anti-Ragging Week: As per UGC guidelines, Anti-Ragging Day will be observed on August 12, followed by an Anti-Ragging Week till August 18. Widespread Awareness: Anti-ragging posters in English and Hindi have been displayed at key locations across both campuses. Restricted Entry and Monitoring: Colleges and hostels are to restrict outsider entry and prominently display anti-ragging rules. They are also directed to form Anti-Ragging Committees and Vigilance Squads with the help of NCC/NSS student volunteers. Police Pickets and Patrolling: Police pickets will be posted outside every college, with special attention to women's colleges. Regular patrolling will be conducted across campus to ensure student safety. Deployment of Women Police: Delhi Police has assured the deployment of plainclothes women personnel within and around college premises to prevent ragging and eve-teasing. Verification of PG Accommodations: Students opting for paying guest accommodations have been advised to ensure that their residences are duly verified by local police authorities. Online Complaint Mechanism: Police officials emphasized streamlined mechanisms for filing ragging complaints, including online reporting and cybercrime referrals. Regular Compliance Reports: Under UGC's 2009 anti-ragging regulations, all institutional heads must submit weekly compliance reports for the first three months of the academic year, and monthly reports thereafter. These must be sent to the University Proctor at proctor@ The University reiterated that any act of ragging or indiscipline would invite serious consequences, including suspension, expulsion, cancellation of degree or admission, withholding of results, or being barred from classes and examinations.
