Bullying on basis of religion, gender amounts to ragging: UGC

New Delhi: Bullying a student on the basis of his religion, gender, ethnicity or economic background would now amount to ragging, according to the University Grants Commission.

UGC has expanded the definition of ragging as per the latest notification issued by it.

"Any act of physical or mental abuse (including bullying and exclusion) targeted at another student (fresher or otherwise) on the ground of colour, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender (including transgender), sexual orientation, appearance, nationality, regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth, place of residence or economic background now amounts to ragging," it said.

In addition to this, the UGC Regulations on Curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 gives a detailed description of what constitutes ragging.