NEW DELHI: Pinjra Tod, an autonomous collective of women students, has accused the central varsity of Jamia Millia Islamia of yet again curtailing the hostel timings of girls till 9 pm, as against the promised
10. 30 pm deadline.
Women hostellers of Jamia Milia Islamia had led a powerful struggle last semester to extend their curfew timing to 10.30 pm, which was agreed to by the administration in writing, the collective claimed.
However, the Jamia administration in a brazen, non-transparent, authoritative and undemocratic move, has now brought back the hostel timings to 9 pm, that too during vacations, it said.
"This is printed on the new prospectus along with a new rule that states that hostellers 'will not indulge in any protest or signature campaign against hostel rules, regulations or timings'," a statement by the Pinjra Tod said.
The students' collective has been campaigning for liberal hostel timings for women.
A spokesperson of the varsity, however, said earlier the hostel timings were 8.30 pm and the new prospectus has extended it to 9 pm.
In a city like Delhi, late timings would not be feasible and even parents would not approve of it, he said.
"Parents are not comfortable that their daughters stay out late in a city like Delhi. Most of the students return by 6 pm and if on some occasions, they have to stay out, they can take permission from the authorities," the varsity spokesperson said.
Pinjra Tod said the administration has also imposed a closing time for the inner hostel gate at 11.30 pm, which means women students from one hostel cannot go to another hostel.
It needs to be mentioned here that no such restrictions exist for male hostellers, it said.
The varsity said the restriction on protests has been laid out because such demonstrations disturb those students who want to study.