UGC Alert: UGC has said that harassing new students on WhatsApp will also be considered ragging. Strict action will be taken in such cases. If the institutes fail to stop such cases, then steps like stopping grants can also be taken against them.

UGC Alert: Harassing new students in colleges and universities is no longer limited to the campus. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has now issued strict instructions against ragging even on digital platforms like WhatsApp. UGC has said that if any senior harasses juniors mentally by adding them to a WhatsApp group, then it will also be considered ragging and strict action will be taken against them. The commission has directed all higher educational institutions to monitor such informal WhatsApp groups, which are used to scare or humiliate new students.

Dozens of complaints are received every year

UGC receives several complaints every year from colleges across the country about seniors harassing new students. These complaints include incidents like abusing, taunting, giving orders, and threatening for not following the rules through WhatsApp groups.

UGC said, "Many times seniors create such groups and harass new students and even threaten them with social boycott. They are forced to cut their hair, stay awake till late night, or endure insults. All these incidents come under the purview of ragging."

Action will also be taken against colleges

The commission has also made it clear that if any institution fails to stop ragging, then strict steps like stopping grants can be taken against it. UGC has asked all colleges to strictly follow anti-ragging rules inside the campus and on online mediums.