Society Against Violence in Education

Last updated

Society Against Violence in Education
AbbreviationSAVE
Founder Kushal Banerjee
Type Non-governmental organisation Non-profit organisation
Location
Region
serving entire India
ServicesVictim Supports, Awareness Campaigns, Consultation to institutions, etc.
Volunteers
200
Website no2ragging.org
Formerly called
No Ragging Foundation

Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) is a non profit organization working for the eradication of ragging and bullying from educational institutions in India. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Major field(s) :

SAVE is possibly the first-registered anti-ragging NGO in India. [4] [5]

It is mainly composed of professionals and students from various fields [1] [2] [6] who volunteer for the cause in their free time. [7]

Formation

Ragging has been taking a huge toll of innocent lives and careers for long. But there had been no single civil movement against the evil of ragging. There were websites and online groups, from where some conscientious youths gave birth to a non profit organisation, which later came to fame in the name of the "No Ragging Foundation". Later, the No Ragging Foundation was registered as the Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE). [8]

Amit Sahai Gangwar, a first year student of NIT-Jalandhar, lost his life in October 2005. The news was covered by various media - news channels and dailies. This event had a great impact in the formation of this organisation. [9] [10] [11]

Mission

The Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) is an impartial, neutral and independent, non-profit organisation whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of students in educational institutions and to provide the victims of 'ragging' with assistance and also to facilitate the eradication of ragging from educational institutions through awareness, advocacy, research and such other avenues.

It works towards the creation of an environment where students can learn with fun and not with fear. It directs its efforts towards elimination of violence and abuses on innocent freshers while promoting peace and harmony among the senior and the juniors students in academic institutions. [7]

Objectives

Create a strong public mandate against ragging.

Device alternative but healthy and humane modes of interaction between seniors & juniors.

Unite the isolated protests against ragging under the umbrella of a strong, united movement.

Involve the authorities, faculties, students and others in the anti ragging drives. [12]

Ragging and Its Current Situation in India

Ragging, often euphemistically referred to as "hazing" in other parts of the world, is a form of abuse and humiliation inflicted upon newcomers or junior students in educational institutions by their seniors. Originally intended as a means of familiarizing new students with their seniors and the institution, ragging has often degenerated into acts of extreme physical and psychological abuse.

In India, ragging has been a pervasive issue for decades. Despite stringent laws and institutional policies, it continues to plague educational institutions across the country. The most common forms of ragging include physical beatings, forced consumption of substances, sexual harassment, and tasks designed to demean and humiliate the victims. The psychological toll on victims is severe, often leading to depression, anxiety, and even suicide in extreme cases.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India and the Supreme Court have mandated strict anti-ragging measures, including the establishment of anti-ragging cells in institutions, mandatory filing of affidavits by students and parents, and severe punishments for perpetrators. Institutions are also required to conduct regular awareness programs and provide counseling services to victims of ragging.

Despite these measures, the current situation remains concerning. High-profile cases of ragging continue to emerge, highlighting the persistent nature of this menace. For instance, in a recent case at a prominent engineering college, a first-year student was subjected to severe physical abuse, leading to widespread protests and media coverage. Such incidents underscore the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures.

Several factors contribute to the persistence of ragging in India. These include a culture of silence and acceptance among students, inadequate enforcement of anti-ragging policies, and a lack of awareness about the legal and psychological repercussions of ragging. Moreover, the hierarchical nature of Indian society, where seniority often equates to power, perpetuates this harmful practice.

SAVE play a crucial role in combating ragging. SAVE conducts awareness campaigns, provides legal and psychological support to victims, and advocates for stronger enforcement of anti-ragging laws. Their initiatives have brought significant changes in some institutions, but the battle is far from over.

Activities

Awareness - Encouraging healthy interactions and friendly campuses

They spread the awareness against ragging and provide support to the victims. They also promote healthy and humane modes of interactions between the seniors and the juniors. They promote anti-ragging campus units, involving students, class and faculty members. [2] [4] [16]

SAVE has been arranging awareness events, mainly in educational institutions in different parts of India, involving students, faculty members and other stakeholders. [13] [17] Such events serve to empower and encourage the freshers (potential victims) as well as to promote healthy modes of interactions. The events are used to guide institutional authorities, if required, on effectively implementing anti ragging measures in the campus. Faculties and students have admired such events to be very useful for the cause. [18]

SAVE has arranged events in different parts of the country, for example : Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Varanasi, Ajmer, Hyderabad, Dehradun, Surat, Pune, Haldia, Durgapur, Howrah, etc. [13] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

SAVE has been at the forefront of the fight against ragging in educational institutions across India. Recently, the organization has intensified its efforts, focusing on raising awareness and providing support to students in some of the country's most prestigious institutions.

SAVE conducted an extensive awareness program at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, one of the premier engineering institutions in India. The program included workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions aimed at educating students about the detrimental effects of ragging.

SAVE extended its activities to one of India's oldest and most renowned universities, Jamia Millia Islamia.

Recognizing the need to address ragging at the school level, SAVE recently organized a seminar at the Rashtriya Military School in Dhaulpur. The seminar was designed to educate younger students about the harmful effects of ragging and the importance of mutual respect and camaraderie.

SAVE has sent thousands of communications to colleges as well. [14]

Supporting & Empowering the victims and their families

For about a decade, SAVE has been supporting the victims of ragging and/or their families in various ways. SAVE volunteers have supported victims in getting their grievances heard. They have played active roles in creating pressure on colleges to take actions and have provided legal and other guidance and assistance to the victims and their families. SAVE keeps in touch with the National (UGC) Anti Ragging Helpline and with its monitoring agency. [14] [25] [26] [27]

SAVE has filed numerous applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with institutions as well as statutory bodies. SAVE legal team, led by advocate Mrs. Meera Kaura Patel, has even represented victims in the court and before the National Human Rights Commission of India.

In a case involving the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, following the directions from the court, the police had booked the Dean, Director and Registrar were charged under IPC Sections 336, 337, 338 (negligence), 120B (conspiracy), 201 (tampering with evidence), 202, 176 (failing to inform a public authority) and 511 (attempting to commit offence). [28]

In another case, from Thanjavur, SAVE Legal Team had requested the Chief Justice of Tamil Nadu to take suo motu cognizance of the matter. [29] Five engineering students were arrested later. [30]

In some cases, SAVE has collaborated with the friends and family members of 'victims', who had lost their lives in 'ragging', to arrange memorial events and to demand proper investigation into the cases. The events were clubbed with signature campaigns seeking a comprehensive national anti ragging legislation. [14] [31] [32]

In many cases, the colleges have taken actions based on SAVE's recommendations. [33] Some Colleges have been proactively invited SAVE to address their students and faculties. Several colleges have invited SAVE to be part of their anti ragging committee, [34] however it was not possible for SAVE to accept all such offers, considering its limitations, e.g., financial limitations.

Other Activities

Recognition

Tax exemption status

SAVE is registered with the department of Income tax in India u/s 12AA . Donations to the Society Against Violence in Education qualify for Tax exemption u/s 80G(5)(vi) . [45]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazing</span> Rituals of humiliation used to initiate someone into a group

Hazing, initiation, beasting, bastardisation, ragging or deposition refers to any activity expected of someone in joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them regardless of a person's willingness to participate.

Ragging is the term used for the so-called "initiation ritual" practiced in higher education institutions in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The practice is similar to hazing in North America, fagging in the UK, bizutage in France, praxe in Portugal, and other similar practices in educational institutions across the world. Ragging involves abuse, humiliation, or harassment of new entrants or junior students by the senior students. It often takes a malignant form wherein the newcomers may be subjected to psychological or physical torture. In 2009, the University Grants Commission of India imposed regulations upon Indian universities to help curb ragging and launched a toll-free 'anti-ragging helpline'.

Meenal Jain is an Indian singer, known as a playback singer in Indian films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kailash Satyarthi</span> Indian Social Campaigner

Kailash Satyarthi is an Indian social reformer who campaigned against child labor in India and advocated the universal right to education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prajwala</span> Organization against prostitution and sex trafficking.

Prajwala is a non-governmental organization based in Hyderabad, India, devoted exclusively to eradicating prostitution and sex trafficking. Founded in 1996 by Ms. Sunitha Krishnan and Brother Jose Vetticatil, the organization actively works in the areas of prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration, and advocacy to combat trafficking in every dimension and restore dignity to victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Men's rights movement in India</span>

The men's rights movement in India is composed of various independent men's rights organisations in India. Proponents of the movement support the introduction of gender-neutral legislation and repeal of laws that are biased against men.

The anti-rape movement is a sociopolitical movement which is part of the movement seeking to combat violence against and the abuse of women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunitha Krishnan</span> Indian social activist

Sunitha Krishnan is an Indian social activist and chief functionary and co-founder of Prajwala, a non-governmental organization that rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates sex-trafficked victims into society. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sona Mohapatra</span> Indian singer

Sona Mohapatra is an Indian singer, music composer and lyricist. In addition to her own material, Mohapatra has recorded remixes of songs by David Bowie, with "Let's Dance", and INXS, with "Afterglow", with the latter proving particularly successful.

Pon Navarasu, a student of Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India was murdered on 6 November 1996. This murder, which occurred during a ragging incident, led to the passing of the first anti-ragging legislation in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SaveLIFE Foundation</span> Indian non-profit organization

SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on improving road safety and emergency medical care across India. SLF combines evidence-based research with policy advocacy, communication, and on-ground execution of projects in the two areas of crash prevention as well as post-crash response. Over the past few years, SLF has facilitated the enactment of the Good Samaritan Law in India, which insulates lay rescuers of injured victims from ensuing legal and procedural hassles. It has also adopted the Mumbai Pune Expressway to transform it into a Zero Fatality Corridor, trained several thousand Police personnel and citizens in basic life-saving techniques, and built technology platforms to assist road users and those interested in road safety.

Satyamev Jayate is an Indian Hindi-language television talk show aired on various channels within Star Network along with Doordarshan's DD National. The first season of the show premiered on 6 May 2012 and marked the television debut of popular Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan. The second season of the show was aired from 2 March 2014 and the third season started from 5 October 2014.

The first season of Satyamev Jayate was premiered from 6 May 2012 on various channels within Star Network along with Doordarshan's DD National. It marked the television debut of Indian Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan. While Hindi is the primary language of the show, it is also dubbed and simulcast in several other Indian languages such as Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

Vandrevala Foundation is an NGO established by Cyrus Vandrevala and Priya Vandrevala in 2008. In 2009, the foundation launched the "Mental Health - India" initiative to raise awareness and provide services for emotionally distressed individuals.

The second season of Satyamev Jayate premiered on 2 March 2014. While Hindi is the show's primary language, it was dubbed and simulcast in Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piyush Tewari</span> Indian social entrepreneur

Piyush Tewari is an Indian social entrepreneur, focused on improving road safety, access to emergency medical care and urban governance across India. He is the Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, and best known for his work to pass a Good Samaritan Law in India. In 2016, GQ Magazine named him as one of the most influential young Indians. In 2014, Tewari was featured as an expert on Satyamev Jayate, a popular TV show on social issues, hosted by actor Aamir Khan. The episode Tewari was featured in was focused on the epidemic of road accidents in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzette Jordan</span> Indian womens-rights activist

Suzette Jordan was a prominent women's-rights activist and anti-rape campaigner from Kolkata, India.

People with disabilities face 1.5 times more violence than people without disabilities. The perpetrators are often people known to the person with disabilities, such as their partners, family members, friends, or acquaintances. It is estimated that 15% of the world's population lives with disability and are more likely to be poor and socially excluded. Thus violence against people with disabilities has many dimensions.

<i>Satyameva Jayate 2</i> 2021 film directed by Milap Zaveri

Satyameva Jayate 2 is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language vigilante action film written and directed by Milap Milan Zaveri with production by T-Series and Emmay Entertainment. It is a spiritual sequel of the 2018 film Satyameva Jayate and stars John Abraham in a triple role as father and twin sons, alongside Divya Khosla Kumar, Rajeev Pillai and Anup Soni. In the film, Satya Balram Azaad proposes Lokpal bill in the parliament but due to lack of votes his plea gets rejected ,years ago his father Dadasaheb Balram Azad had had scarified his life for the same which also left his mother Suhasini in coma.A killer starts to kill corrupt people in the city to stop corruption so the officials decide to appoint a tough cop Jay Balram Azad twin brother of Satya forms rest of the plot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashmi Anand</span> Indian activist and writer

Rashmi Anand is an Indian activist and writer concerned about domestic violence. The President of India awarded her the Nari Shakti Puraskar. This is the highest award for women in India. She founded the "Woman of the Elements Trust" which supplies support to victims of domestic abuse in Delhi.

References

  1. 1 2 "Organisation Details". Pro Poor.
  2. 1 2 3 "Society launches fight against college bullies". The Times of India . Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Anti-bullying guidelines: New orders mere replica of earlier ones - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  4. 1 2 "Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE)". WeCareToo India.
  5. 1 2 "Anti-Ragging NGO 'SAVE' To Help City Police - Hyderabad News on fullhyd.com". news.fullhyderabad.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  6. ↑ Times of India
  7. 1 2 "SAVE | About | Who we are". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  8. ↑ "Brief History". Karmayog.
  9. 1 2 "SAVE | About Us | Why We Started This". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  10. ↑ "'We were told to do bad things' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  11. ↑ "Jalandhar Plus". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  12. ↑ "Objectives". Society Against Violence in Education.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "SAVE|About Us|What we do|Awareness". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "SAVE|About Us|What we do|Supports & Empowerment". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  15. 1 2 3 "SAVE|About Us|What we do|Other Activities". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  16. ↑ "Services offered". Karmayog.
  17. ↑ "Seniors or foes? How ragging in our colleges is pushing students to the edge". The Hindustan Times. 2016-07-04. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  18. ↑ "SAVE | About Us | Testimonials". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  19. ↑ "Global Institute of Management and Technology". gimt-india.in. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  20. ↑ "Haldia Institute of Technology Website www.hithaldia.in - Haldia Institute of Technology deals in Institutes - Management". www.vcsdata.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  21. ↑ "Dr. Sudhir Chandra Sur Degree Engineering College". www.dsec.ac.in. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  22. ↑ "Event Details" (PDF). JIS College of Engineering. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  23. ↑ "Asansol Engineering College Organizes Anti-Ragging Sensitization Programme" (PDF). Asansol Engineering College. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  24. ↑ HETC Chronicle. "Campus News" (PDF). Hooghly Engineering & Technology College. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  25. ↑ "beHappy". www.behappy.org.in. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  26. ↑ "Two IIHM students arrested for ragging - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  27. ↑ "UP ranks first in ragging cases". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  28. ↑ "Naveen Kujur ragging: Case against SPA for negligence and tampering with evidence - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  29. ↑ "Juniors 'stripped, abused' at Thanjavur engineering college - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  30. ↑ "Five engg students arrested for ragging". epaper.timesofindia.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  31. ↑ "The Times Group". epaperbeta.timesofindia.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  32. ↑ "Kolkata: The activists of Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) participate in candle light march to protest against ragging in Kolkata, on Nov 23, 2014. (Photo: IANS)". Yahoo Cricket India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  33. ↑ KSRMCE/Anti-Ragging/2013-14/2 (2013-08-19). "Circular" (PDF). K.S.R.M. College of Engineering, Kadapa. p. 3. Retrieved 2016-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ↑ Office Order No.: 591/Reg/15. "Office Order" (PDF). The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences. Retrieved 2016-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. ↑ "SAVE | About Us | Who We Are". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  36. ↑ "SAVE | About Us | Who We Are". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  37. ↑ "SAVE | About Us | Who We Are". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  38. ↑ "Satyamev Jayate Season 3 | Episode 6 | When Masculinity Harms Men" . Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  39. 1 2 "Satyamev Jayate 3: Big B, Aamir, Parineeti, Deepika, Kangana get bashful about objectification of women in cinema!". www.pinkvilla.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  40. ↑ "Stop ragging NOW! – When Masculinity harms men | satyamevjayate.in" . Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  41. ↑ "National Human Rights Commission - New Delhi". nhrc.nic.in. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  42. ↑ no2ragging (2009-12-19), Celebs Supporting Anti Ragging Movement by SAVE, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2016-12-11{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ↑ "13th Anniversary Celebrations" (PDF). Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust, 48, Bazulla Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-17. 2013. p. 5. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  44. ↑ "I.P.O. President Hans Köchler delivers presidential address". i-p-o.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  45. ↑ "SAVE | Donate". www.no2ragging.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.