New Delhi: Establishment of wellness and inclusion centres, annual anti-ragging reports from institutions with evidence and accountability measures, and no closure of complaints without district administration approval were among measures proposed to curb ragging in academic campuses during an NHRC-led session here.

Chairing the discussion, National Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice (retd) V Ramasubramanian expressed concern over the prevailing practice of ragging in higher educational institutions. Despite the abundance of laws, committees, and regulations such as the 2001 guidelines, the R K Raghavan Committee, and the 2009 UGC Regulations, he noted that enforcement remains a major challenge.

The NHRC chief called for stronger monitoring mechanisms to stop ragging in its various forms, emphasising enforcement of statutes, greater sensitivity in handling complaints, and strict anonymity for complainants to ensure victims' protection and justice.

Suggestions from stakeholders included displaying the UGC's 24x7 anti-ragging helpline on every institution's website, immediate mandatory reporting to police, representation of SC/ST/OBC/minorities in anti-ragging committees, and ensuring victim safety post-reporting.

Other measures proposed were regular audits, surprise checks, CCTV surveillance and police visits, establishing wellness and inclusion centres with trained mental health professionals, no closure of complaints without district administration approval, and annual anti-ragging reports with evidence and accountability.

The NHRC also suggested changing decision-making architecture by applying Richard Thaler's 'nudge technique' to subtly change mindsets against ragging, encouraging anonymous complaints, recognising ragging-free campuses, involving parents in complaint cases, and fostering collaboration between NHRC, NALSA, and UGC.