The Supreme Court of India has refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a central law and uniform guidelines to address bullying and ragging in schools and pre-university educational institutions across the country.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said the court had already passed a judgment concerning the issues raised in the petition. The bench observed that a fresh petition could not be entertained merely for implementing directives arising from the earlier judgment.
However, the court permitted the counsel representing petitioner Yadavi Aditya Rasiwasiya to submit a representation to the concerned authorities.
The petition had named the Centre, all states and Union Territories, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) as respondents.
The plea sought directions for the framing and implementation of appropriate central legislation against bullying and ragging in schools and pre-university institutions. It also proposed supplementary guidelines requiring educational institutions to effectively address complaints related to such incidents.
Additionally, the petitioner sought the compulsory inclusion of a subject on the harmful effects of bullying and ragging in school curricula. The plea proposed that the subject be incorporated into the curricula followed by both central and state education boards.
The Supreme Court’s decision leaves the petitioner with the option of pursuing the matter through representations to the relevant authorities.
