ANTIRAGGING POLICY

1. Preamble

JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru, is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all its students. Ragging and bullying are strictly prohibited and are considered grave offenses that undermine the dignity and well-being of individuals. This policy outlines the college’s zero-tolerance stance against ragging and bullying, establishes the Anti-Ragging and Anti-Bullying Committee, and defines its roles, responsibilities, and the procedures for prevention, prohibition, and redressal in accordance with statutory regulations.

2. Objectives

The objectives of this Anti-Ragging and Anti-Bullying Policy are to:

Prohibit any act of ragging or bullying, whether physical, psychological, or emotional.
Prevent the occurrence of ragging and bullying incidents within the college premises, hostels, and any place where students gather for academic or co-curricular activities.
Ensure prompt and fair investigation of all reported incidents of ragging and bullying.
Take strict disciplinary action against individuals found guilty of ragging or bullying.
Promote a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and camaraderie among students.
Comply with all relevant statutory provisions and regulations concerning ragging.

3. Definitions

Ragging: As per the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 (and subsequent amendments), ragging is defined as any act of physical or mental abuse (including bullying by juniors and seniors) with or without an intent to derive sadistic pleasure or showing off power, authority, or superiority.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Any disorderly conduct, whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any other student.
Indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship, or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof.
Asking any student to do any act which such student will not ordinarily do and which causes shame, torment, or embarrassment affecting the physique or psyche.
Any act by a senior student that makes a junior or fresher student feel humiliated, intimidated, or harassed.

Bullying: Bullying is defined as repeated aggressive behavior intended to hurt another person physically or mentally, often involving an imbalance of power.

Physical Bullying: Hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing, or damaging property.
Verbal Bullying: Name-calling, insults, teasing, intimidation, homophobic or racist remarks, or verbal abuse.
Social / Relational Bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding someone from a group, or publicly embarrassing someone.
Cyber Bullying: Bullying using electronic technology such as mobile phones, computers, tablets, social media, text messages, and websites.

4. Anti-Ragging and Anti-Bullying Committee (ARABC)

The Anti-Ragging and Anti-Bullying Committee shall be constituted annually and comprise members from various stakeholders.

Proposed Committee Structure:

Chairperson: Prof. Aswathy Devi MK, Principal, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru.
Faculty Members:
- Dr. Usha M Thomas, Professor, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru
- Dr. Ambika K, Associate Professor, JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru
External Members: Dr. Vani Shree, Principal, JSS Law College, Mysuru; Smt. Sudha Mruthyunjayappa, Srirampura, Mysuru
Non-Teaching Staff Representatives
Student Representatives
Parent Representatives

Roles and Responsibilities of the Anti-Ragging and Anti-Bullying Committee

The ARABC shall be responsible for:

Policy Implementation: Ensuring strict adherence to and implementation of the policy.
Awareness Campaigns: Organizing programs, displaying posters, and collecting undertakings from students and parents.
Monitoring and Vigilance: Campus monitoring, surprise checks, mentoring systems, and security deployment.
Complaint Redressal: Receiving complaints, ensuring confidentiality, conducting inquiries, and documentation.
Reporting: Submitting periodic reports and reporting serious incidents to authorities.
Counseling and Support: Providing psychological, medical, and legal support.
Disciplinary Action: Recommending proportionate disciplinary measures.

6. Procedures for Complaint and Redressal

Lodging a Complaint: Complaints may be lodged by students, parents, or staff verbally, in writing, via email, or helpline with identity protection.
Preliminary Inquiry: Initial inquiry conducted by the Chairperson to establish facts.
Formal Investigation: Detailed investigation ensuring principles of natural justice.
Committee Recommendation: Submission of findings and recommendations to the Principal.
Decision and Action: Final decision taken and communicated by the Principal.

7. Statutory Regulations and Legal Provisions

This policy adheres to the following:

UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009
- Mandatory anti-ragging undertakings
- Constitution of Anti-Ragging Committee and Squad
- Strict punishments including suspension and expulsion
- Mandatory FIR in grievous cases
Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
- Section 323 – Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 324 – Causing hurt by dangerous weapons
- Section 325 – Causing grievous hurt
- Section 326 – Grievous hurt by dangerous weapons
- Section 341 – Wrongful restraint
- Section 342 – Wrongful confinement
- Section 352 – Assault or criminal force
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation
Relevant State Laws: Karnataka state laws relating to prohibition of ragging.

8. Disciplinary Actions

Suspension from attending classes and academic privileges.
Withholding or withdrawal of scholarships or benefits.
Withholding of results.
Debarring from representing the institution.
Suspension or expulsion from the hostel.
Cancellation of admission.
Rustication for one to four semesters.
Expulsion from the institution.
Fine ranging from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/-.
Collective punishment where applicable.

9. Prevention and Awareness Measures

Mandatory orientation programs for freshers.
Assignment of senior student mentors.
Availability of professional counseling services.
Regular meetings of the ARABC.
Active parental involvement.

This policy document serves as a guiding framework for JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru, to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment free from ragging and bullying. All members of the college community are expected to adhere to this policy strictly.