ANTI-RAGGING POLICY
Shree B. P. Memorial Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences is committed to providing a safe, respectful, disciplined and welcoming academic environment for every student. The Institute believes that every student has the right to pursue education, professional training and clinical learning without fear, humiliation, harassment, intimidation or discrimination.
The Institute follows a Zero-Tolerance Policy towards ragging. Ragging in any form, whether physical, verbal, psychological, social, electronic or digital, is strictly prohibited. Any student who commits, assists, encourages, instigates or knowingly participates in ragging may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
WHAT IS RAGGING?
Ragging includes any act, conduct, behaviour, words or activities that cause or are likely to cause physical, psychological or emotional harm, fear, apprehension, humiliation, embarrassment or discomfort to another student.
Ragging may include, but is not limited to:
• Forcing a junior student to introduce himself/herself in a humiliating or objectionable manner.
• Using abusive, insulting, obscene or derogatory language.
• Threatening, intimidating or humiliating another student.
• Physical assault, pushing, hitting or causing bodily injury.
• Making inappropriate comments relating to appearance, caste, religion, gender, family or personal circumstances.
• Forcing students to sing, dance, dress or behave in a humiliating manner.
• Demanding money, food, personal belongings or any other favour.
• Preventing students from attending classes or participating in academic activities.
• Harassing a student in the hostel or during clinical training.
• Taking or circulating photographs/videos intended to humiliate or harass a student.
• Cyberbullying or harassing students through WhatsApp, social media or other digital platforms.
ZERO-TOLERANCE APPROACH
The Institute does not permit, encourage, tolerate, assist or facilitate ragging in any manner. The claim that an act was intended merely for entertainment, introduction, friendship or enjoyment shall not by itself be accepted as a justification.
A student who directly commits an act of ragging, as well as any student who assists, encourages, instigates or knowingly participates in such activity, may be subject to disciplinary action.
SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
This Anti-Ragging Policy applies to all students of the Institute, including students enrolled in ANM, GNM and B.Sc. (Nursing) programmes, as well as students undergoing clinical training, internships or other academic activities.
The Policy applies to activities connected with the Institute, including:
• Institute campus and classrooms
• Laboratories, library and other academic areas
• Hostel and hostel premises
• Canteen, playground and common areas
• Hospitals and clinical training areas
• Institute transportation
• Educational tours, camps and excursions
• Cultural, sports and other Institute programmes
• Online and social media platforms where the activity is connected with Institute students
RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS
Every student is expected to maintain professional and respectful behaviour towards fellow students. Senior students are expected to guide and support junior students rather than intimidate, harass or humiliate them.
Every student shall:
• Respect the dignity, privacy and personal rights of other students.
• Refrain from ragging in any form.
• Report any incident or suspected incident of ragging to the appropriate authority.
• Cooperate with any inquiry conducted by the Institute.
• Not threaten or retaliate against a student who reports an incident.
• Maintain appropriate conduct during hostel stay and clinical training.
Students are encouraged to approach any faculty member, Hostel Warden, Principal or member of the Anti-Ragging Committee if they experience or witness any incident of ragging.
PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
The Institute will take reasonable and proactive measures to prevent ragging. Anti-ragging awareness will form an important part of the student induction and orientation programme.
Preventive measures include:
• Displaying anti-ragging notices at prominent locations.
• Conducting anti-ragging awareness and sensitisation programmes.
• Informing students and parents about the Anti-Ragging Policy at the time of admission.
• Obtaining prescribed anti-ragging undertakings/declarations from students and parents.
• Maintaining appropriate supervision in hostels and other vulnerable areas.
• Providing opportunities for junior students to interact with faculty and authorities.
• Periodically reviewing the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures.
ANTI-RAGGING COMMITTEE
The Institute has constituted an Anti-Ragging and Squad Committee for the prevention and monitoring of ragging.
REPORTING OF RAGGING
Any student who experiences or witnesses ragging is encouraged to report the incident immediately.
A complaint may be made directly to the Principal, faculty member, Hostel Warden, Anti-Ragging Committee or any other authorised person designated by the Institute.
A complaint may be made by:
• The student who has been subjected to ragging.
• A fellow student or witness.
• Parent/Guardian.
• Faculty or staff member.
• Any other person having credible information regarding the incident.
Where necessary, the Institute may initiate action on the basis of information received even if the affected student has not submitted a formal written complaint.
IMMEDIATE ACTION ON RECEIVING A COMPLAINT
On receiving information regarding an incident of ragging, the Institute will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected student.
Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the allegation, the Institute may:
• Ensure immediate safety of the affected student.
• Separate the affected student from the alleged perpetrators.
• Inform the parents/guardians, wherever appropriate.
• Conduct a preliminary inquiry.
• Preserve relevant evidence such as messages, photographs, videos or other records.
• Take appropriate interim measures where necessary.
• Refer the matter to the competent authority/police where the incident may involve a criminal offence.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Ragging will be treated as serious misconduct. A student found guilty of ragging may be subjected to disciplinary action depending upon the nature, seriousness and circumstances of the incident and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Depending upon the circumstances, disciplinary action may include:
• Written warning.
• Written apology.
• Counselling.
• Fine, where permissible.
• Suspension from classes.
• Suspension from or removal from hostel.
• Debarment from Institute activities.
• Withholding of academic privileges.
• Cancellation of admission.
• Expulsion or rustication from the Institute.
• Reporting the matter to the police or other competent authority where required.
The Institute may take action against each student individually according to his/her established role in the incident.
SERIOUS FORMS OF RAGGING
Acts involving physical violence, sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, extortion, confinement, serious injury, destruction of property, forced consumption of substances or other conduct potentially amounting to a criminal offence will be treated as particularly serious.
In such cases, the Institute may take disciplinary action as well as refer the matter to the appropriate law-enforcement or statutory authority, wherever required by law.
RAGGING THROUGH ELECTRONIC AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Ragging is not limited to physical interaction. Any act of harassment, intimidation or humiliation carried out through electronic or digital means also falls within the scope of this Policy.
This includes the use of:
• WhatsApp or other messaging applications.
• Instagram, Facebook or other social media platforms.
• Electronic messages, calls or emails.
• Photographs, videos or recordings.
• Fake accounts or groups created for harassment.
• Threatening, abusive or humiliating digital communications.
The Institute may take appropriate disciplinary action where such conduct is connected with its students or activities.
PROTECTION OF COMPLAINANTS AND WITNESSES
The Institute will make reasonable efforts to protect students who report ragging or cooperate with an inquiry from intimidation, harassment or retaliation.
No student will be treated, victimised or subjected to adverse treatment merely because he/she has reported an incident, provided information or participated in an inquiry.
The Institute will also make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality of complaints and proceedings, subject to applicable law and the requirements of a fair inquiry.
FALSE OR MALICIOUS COMPLAINTS
Students are encouraged to report genuine incidents of ragging without fear. However, knowingly making a false or malicious complaint may itself constitute misconduct and may attract appropriate disciplinary action.
At the same time, a complaint will not be treated as false merely because the allegation could not ultimately be established after inquiry.
HOSTEL AND CLINICAL TRAINING
The Institute will pay particular attention to prevention of ragging in hostels and during clinical training, where students may spend considerable time outside regular classroom settings.
Hostel Wardens, faculty members and clinical supervisors will remain vigilant and will immediately report any suspected incident of ragging to the appropriate Institute authority.
Senior students will not use their position, seniority or influence to intimidate or harass junior students in the hostel, hospital or clinical training environment.
STUDENT AND PARENT UNDERTAKING
Every student and parent/guardian will be required to give the prescribed anti-ragging undertaking at the time of admission or as required by the applicable regulatory authority.
The student will undertake that he/she will not participate in, encourage, instigate, assist or support ragging in any form and will comply with the Anti-Ragging Policy and disciplinary rules of the Institute.
The parent/guardian will also undertake to support the Institute in maintaining a ragging-free environment and to ensure that the student complies with the applicable rules.
ROLE OF FACULTY AND STAFF
All faculty members, wardens and staff members have a responsibility to remain alert to signs of ragging and to report any suspected incident immediately.
Faculty members are expected to encourage an environment of mutual respect and healthy interaction between senior and junior students.
Any information suggesting the occurrence of ragging will be brought promptly to the notice of the Principal or Anti-Ragging Committee.
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
This Policy will be interpreted and implemented in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, notifications, directions and guidelines issued from time to time by the Government, competent statutory authorities, Bihar University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Indian Nursing Council (INC) and other applicable regulatory bodies.
INSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION
Shree B. P. Memorial Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences is committed to maintaining a Ragging-Free Campus.
The Institute considers mutual respect, discipline, dignity, safety and professional conduct to be fundamental values of nursing and paramedical education.
Every student, faculty member, staff member and other person associated with the Institute is expected to cooperate in maintaining an environment free from ragging and harassment.
Ragging in any form is strictly prohibited.
Shree B. P. Memorial Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences
At-Bishunpur, Ahirwalia, West Champaran, Bettiah, Bihar - 845438
Email: shreebpmemorialinstitute@gmail.com
Website: www.shreebpmemorialinstitute.com