Minister of State for Education, Anil Deshmukh, introduced the Bill, called the `Bill to prohibit ragging in educational institutions in State of Maharashtra', in the Legislative Council. The Bill also provides that if a student is found guilty of ragging and convicted for the same, he/she will be dismissed from the educational institution and will not be admitted to any other educational institution for five years. It has also been provided in the Bill that if the head of an institution ignores/neglects genuine cases of ragging, he will also face imprisonment for two years and a fine of Rs 10,000.

The bill defines ragging as, ``display of disorderly conduct, an act causing physical or psychological harm; or causingapprehension or fear or shame or embarrassment to a student.'' The definition also includes, ``teasing, abusing, threatening or playing practical jokes or asking a student to perform something the student in ordinary course will not do.''

The Bill further adds that if a student, his parents or guardians or even a teacher gives a written complaint about ragging, the head of the educational institute will conduct an inquiry into the matter within a week. If the latter finds the complaint prima facie true, he must suspend the accused forthwith and forward the complaint to the police station for further action. If the head of the institution does not find any substance in the complaint, he shall inform the complainant accordingly in writing.

Explaining the objects and reasons behind introducing the Bill, Higher and Technical Education Minister, Datta Rane, said ``In the last few years, there has been an upsurge in the harassment of the students by their seniors. Such activities remain unnoticed due to lack ofcomplaints by junior students. These days, some students are manhandled which results in psychological shocks forcing the victims to discontinue their studies or even end their lives. This Bill will strongly deal with the students involved in ragging and help create a free and healthy atmosphere in colleges state-wide,'' he stressed.