Disclaimer: These just apply to the intimidatory form of ragging which includes ANYTHING physical/stripping etc, and does not apply to just interaction (fun talk, getting to know the hobbies, and some fun non-demeaning games), which is pretty useful, nice and promotable.

Generalizability – In case you think that a lot of assumptions below include subjective assessment of feelings, and that it might just be me, here’s my justification. If I had the aforementioned problems, it means at least someone in the new batches also might. There is no way to discern the ones who shall be negatively affected by it from those who won’t. In this case, applying a general action over the entire batch is unjustified unless the cost on the negatively affected is acceptable (that is to say, possible depression/political divisiveness/mental burden etc). If one is fine with a bunch of students going down that way, I shall not bother him/her again.

Moral arguments:
I agree morality is subjective, but consider the things done under the banner of ragging. Not wanting to publicly list down the things, I shall rather club the acts into physical acts, the ‘demeaning acts’ and general intimidatory behaviour. I believe these are far away from the grey-zone of the morality debate, but in case someone differs, they still do not have any right to act howsoever they wish with anyone.

General arguments against:

1. Illegal (basest of the arguments, in case it works)
2. Mental Burden: A considerable portion of the population is actually traumatized in the first month. Apart from the obvious chance of someone going into depression, there is the obvious stress of the time which surely does have a lasting effect. I remember being afraid, and hardly remember ever having been happy about having made into AIIMS. Peer-pressure, as in feeling that since some of your batchmates are giving ragging and not minding it, you also oughtn’t, is a large contributor of the burden.
3. One of the causes of political over-divisiveness: I am not naïve enough to believe in the possibility of an idealised non-faction election, but I hope most of us can agree that the state-ism/ groupism is at a deleterious level. This period often becomes a strategizing ground, which is both unhealthy for fachhas and a seed for future fights and troubles. I agree that in absence of a control, the amount of effect this might have is not predictable, but the general trend over the years is indicative. Further, this allows for another kind of grouping, namely the raggers vs non-raggers, and often the peer-bond is significantly decided by this division.
4. Free thinking: Is not the very direct implication of this period apparent in the idea that most of the students passing through the “procedure” end up following what ever their seniors did without an independent thought? It is true that you cannot probably end up thinking all the constraints yourself, but the current level of free thinking is really not expected of AIIMS (ref: cheating, reading the same books without having explored any other book themselves, repeatedly going to the same people for REs despite having checked out the available options, attendance etc)
5. Cheating: Although this is a part of the above, it deserves special mention. We came here to learn, not to clear exams. If exams are bad, how many of us helped support any proposed changes to exam, or proposed them themselves?
6. I happen to believe that vulgarity also stems from this period where not only is vulgar speech glorified, but making them speak vulgar stuff is a well-prevalent act.

Counters for common pro-arguments:

1. Getting closer: This is frankly the most ridiculous argument I’ve heard. If ragging is a process to get to know someone better, and to be comfortable with them, no society would function without it, which is definitely not the case. If there can be a bond between two batchmates, without “giving” ragging to one another, there should be no necessity of having to give ragging to form a bond with seniors. What if giving it together is the causal factor? Girls and boys do have good bonds in here, and I am sure certain people had equivalently good friends prior to college, in social constructs different than here. A lot of colleges exist, all have equivalent, if not better, intra-batch and inter-batch bonds. There are far better ways to get to know someone (frankly, I’ve found mere discussions to be enough to form lasting friendships. I am sure better “nice” events can be thought of)
2. Opening up: Some shy people might benefit from being coerced into doing acts which his/her other batchmates might also be doing, but, there are enough people for which this coercion acts in the opposite direction. Coercion is not the only way to open someone up. And since when did the goal of extroversion (as opposed to being introvert) become an unanimously agreed upon goal? And there are nicer/friendlier ways to open people up.
3. Better than other colleges since we don’t have junior-senior differences post ragging: two things. We have differences (ref: A ton of considerations in Pulse). A lot of other colleges also do not have this system. And even if they did, they are no benchmark better than logic.
4. Uncomfortable situations help them: This does not justify doing anything in the light of justified ends, means are equally important. There are ways to prepare for such situations apart from simulations. Not only are they moral, but also might be equally effective. Counselling is one. And uncomfortable situations only might prepare you for future similar encounters, if they don’t scar you. And frankly, a lot of the things they are made to do have no resemblance whatsoever with any real uncomfortable situation. And if doing some of the things we are made to do is in preparation for being less uncomfortable when having to strip a patient down/or the like, what portion of the world’s doctors consider this a viable option to learn this art? And are we claiming to have found a better method than all of them?
5. Getting to know seniors: If truly there is no junior-senior difference in standing, post this period, getting to know each other should not be an unilateral effort. And I still got to know plenty of juniors who came of their own accord (and perhaps for some shelter.) And we can organize parties to get to know them better, or department-wise events for the same. A lot of senior/junior friends one makes ultimately, they met after ragging.

I’d really be happy if someone reached till here and wants to have a logical argument. PM me any time.