Kerala government submits anti-ragging guidelines to high court

The Kerala government has submitted comprehensive anti-ragging guidelines to the Kerala High Court, fulfilling an order issued by a division bench led by the Chief Justice. The submission comes as the state works toward formal legislative measures to strengthen protections against ragging in educational institutions.

The guidelines were prepared following the court's direction to develop interim measures based on the draft Kerala Prohibition of Ragging (Amendment) Bill. The division bench had asked the government to implement these safeguards while the legislative process continued.

Ragging remains a persistent issue across Indian educational institutions, with students from marginalized backgrounds often facing harassment and intimidation. The proposed amendments and guidelines aim to establish clearer protocols for prevention, reporting, and accountability in cases of ragging.

The court's intervention reflects growing judicial concern about campus safety and student welfare. By requiring the government to present guidelines pending the bill's passage, the bench sought to ensure that protective measures did not remain in abeyance during the legislative timeline.

The submission of these guidelines represents a step toward strengthening the institutional framework against ragging in Kerala's colleges and universities, though stakeholders await full legislative enactment of the amendment bill for more permanent and binding protections.