It’s St Stephen’s College versus women boarders

Behind the doors of the St Stephen’s College hostel a rebellion is brewing. Women boarders forced into their rooms after 10pm every night want an end to the “curfew” that doesn’t apply to men. Mallica Joshi reports.

Behind the doors of the St Stephen’s College hostel a rebellion is brewing. Women boarders forced into their rooms after 10pm every night want an end to the “curfew” that doesn’t apply to men.

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Women are expected to stay locked in their blocks — there are three of them — after 10pm. There are no such restrictions for men who are free to roam the corridors as well as the lawns.

The women have decided to fight back — taking up the issue on social media and campus.

The administration has not taken kindly to it.

Principal Valson Thampu, who is also the dean of residence, said women would be denied the "privilege" of hostel, if meetings and discussions continued, claimed sources.

"The students only wanted a dialogue with the administration but that right has been denied to them which is very unfortunate," said a teacher on condition of anonymity.

"The university has a strong tradition of debate which has, sadly, gone missing from St Stephen's."

Thampu, however, said the rules were made keeping in mind what was good for students.

"St Stephen's takes good care of its students and tries to give them the best possible time. Doors are shut at a certain time as there is an appropriate time for everything and we understand these things," he told HT.

"The students are free to demand anything but I'm also free to examine those demands and to act in the best interests of college and students."