Jamia sets girls' curfew at 8pm, no such restrictions for boys
Jamia Millia Islamia University has taken away its female students' right to take a 'late-night' twice a month. The new curfew time has been set at 8pm. Boys, however, have no such restrictions.
Girl students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) were in for a shock when they were greeted by a new rule, prohibiting them from taking late nights out -- a rule that gave them the freedom to return to hostels by 10pm twice a month -- when they joined the University hostel after summer vacations in late July.
Girls staying at the university hostels have to return maximum by 8pm but under the previous rules they were allowed to take ‘late night’ twice a month. Boys have no such restrictions for entry into the hostel.
“There are days when there is an emergency and we need to stay out. Now you will have to find a place to crash for the night because you won’t get an entry into the hostel after 8pm. This is restrictive as 8pm is too early. Boys have no such restrictions,” said a girl pursuing Masters at JMI, on condition of anonymity.
“Residents of the Hall of Girls are informed that no late night is allowed any more, you are, therefore, required to follow the norms, in your own best interest,” the notice signed by Provost said.
Students said that even if they wanted to avail late night they had to fill a form, seeking permission of the Warden 24 hours in advance on a request recommended by their parents/local guardian, endorsing full address of the place to be visited and contact number.
“Students who would go out for late night many times come after 10pm. It raised issues about their safety and security. A committee, having senior university officials, was formed to look into the issue. It decided to do away with the 10pm deadline rule,” said Mukesh Ranjan, Jamia Millia Islamia spokesperson.
