Hindu College imposing discriminatory rules on girls: Delhi minister

Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra has accused Hindu College of imposing “regressive, discriminatory and dictatorial” rules at its for girls’ hostel.

Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra has accused Hindu College of imposing “regressive, discriminatory and dictatorial” rules at its for girls’ hostel and sought the intervention of the Delhi University vice-chancellor.

Lalitha Kumaramangalam, chairperson of National Women Commission, with students at Hindu College.(Hindustan Times)

The college announced there would be no admissions to the girls’ hostel following protests by students against high fees and discriminatory rules.

In a letter to V-C Yogesh Tyagi, Mishra said the rules amounted to “moral policing”. Noting the “vast difference” in hostel fees for men and women, Mishra urged him to bring them brought on a par.

“This is incomprehensible, (it) will create resentment among students and is deeply unjust. It is also much higher than the hostel fees at any other comparable Delhi University college,” he said.

The hike fee has irked women students as the male students of Hindu College pay Rs 47,000 as hostel charges but the women have been asked to pay more than Rs 82,000.

“We are still attempting to cage the women in our country under the garb of safety...Why then, are there different rules for students living in hostels? If they are old enough to vote and marry and are subject to the same Constitution of India, why are they not subject to the same rules at a college?” Mishra asked.

The college has formed a committee to look into the issue. The Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) and National Commission of Women (NCW) had issued notices to the college.