Call helpline, get action in 15 mins

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal promised help to victims of ragging within 15 minutes of making a call to the national anti-ragging helpline launched on Saturday.

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal promised help to victims of ragging within 15 minutes of making a call to the national anti-ragging helpline launched on Saturday.

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“As soon as the complaint is registered, the anti-ragging squad and senior university and police officials will be informed,” Sibal said.

“The entire process on what action has been taken on the complaint will be tracked by the call centre set up to run the helpline.”

The toll-free number 1800-180-5522 is India’s first anti-ragging helpline. Students and parents can also lodge their complaints via email to the portal helpline@antiragging.net.

Once a complaint is lodged, a unique number will be generated for future reference. After marking the complaint to the officer concerned for action, it is tracked till necessary action is taken.

Sibal, who said he’d been ragged in a “civilised manner” in college, said the helpline would give a sense of protection to freshers against the demeaning acts of their seniors.

“We have given a message that there is now a watchdog against ragging,” he said.

The University Grants Commission has already notified comprehensive anti-ragging regulations, which make ragging a criminal offence and stipulate punishment for culprits and institutions that protect them.

“Every other statutory higher education body is coming out with similar regulations,” said Sunil Kumar, joint secretary in the HRD Ministry.