Bullying is one of the harmful and deliberate behaviours in which one group or individual targets another individual with the intention of intimidating or hurting them. The act of bullying someone can have some serious psychological, physical as well as emotional effects on people. In the worst case scenarios, Bullying can even lead to someone taking their life. It is one of the most prevalent acts in our country. A number of school-going, as well as college-going students, have dealt with this harmful behaviour in their lifetime. Don’t you think there should be some strict laws against bullying and harassment in our country? Well, we have a piece of good news for you. India has set of rules against bullying, against all forms of bullying. Let us take a closer look at the topic below.
Bullying occurs for a variety of reasons:
- People who bully others drain their emotions from others because they are unable to control them.
- Some people bully others to emulate those they hold in the highest regard.
- Because they want to intimidate the victims to achieve their goals as they are unsatisfied with their lives and want to demonstrate their popularity and dominance at school or college.
The laws will only take action in response to the results of an action. Bullying is a common occurrence in schools due to serious flaws in the legal system, and the institution that was meant to help children become good members of society really despises them because it is toxic.
The Indian Penal Code’s (IPC) anti-bullying provisions:
Bullying can be addressed and punished under a number of articles of the IPC, whether it takes place online, at workplaces, colleges, or schools. These parts include, among others:
- Anyone who commits obscene conduct or uses derogatory language in public is subject to punishment under Section 294. This is applicable to verbal bullying that uses derogatory terminology.
- Criminal intimidation is included in Section 506. Bullies may face penalties under this provision if they threaten to hurt someone else.
- Sections 323 and 325, respectively, address wilful harm and severe harm. These sections provide for the prosecution of physical harassment or assault that causes harm.
- Section 509: Penalties for those who disparage a woman’s modesty; this can be relevant when female employees or students experience verbal abuse or harassment based on their gender.
Cyberbullying:
As more people spend more time online, cyberbullying has grown to be a serious problem, particularly for young adults and students. Cyberbullying is addressed by the Information Technologies Act of 2000 and other IPC laws.
- Obscene content cannot be published or transmitted online, according to Section 67. Cyberbullying may be punished under this provision if it involves the dissemination of pornographic or objectionable material with the intent to threaten or degrade another person.
- Cyberbullying is covered by IPC Section 507, which addresses criminal harassment by anonymous communication. Cyberbullies utilize fictitious accounts to harass or threaten others.
In order to give victims consistent assistance and protection and promote safer workplaces, schools, and online environments in India, a thorough legal framework that addresses bullying in all contexts is necessary
