Kerala High Court opposes hostel restrictions, says girl students may even have more constitutional rights than boys

Kerala High Court opposes hostel restrictions and says Girl students may even have more constitutional rights than boys. The Kerala High Court ordered all state medical colleges to adopt the government's most recent directive reducing curfew hours for female students, saying that hostels are not prisons and all rules should be equally applicable to all students.

Hostels are not prisons ! Kerala High Court states women have constitutional rights just as men, "discrimination restrictions cannot be imposed" on them

The comments were made by Justice Devan Ramachandran at an appeal hearing for female Kozhikode Medical College Hospital students against a November 15 notification that forbade women from leaving the college residence after 9.30 p.m.

Female students emphasised in their petition that the notification did not apply to the mens staying at the hostel

The state government withdrew the notification and released a new one on December 6 after the high court criticised it in the final week of November. The government loosened some rules, allowing students to return to the dormitory after a predetermined amount of time as long as they meet some requirements.                                                                                                   

"Students who are female may have more constitutional rights than students who are male. They cannot be subjected to restrictions that are based on discrimination. According to justice Ramachandran, hostels are not prisons.

The court was advised by the state women's commission that the amended order ensured gender equality.

The higher education department had earlier informed the court that the decision to impose limits was made after taking into account parental requests and the safety of female students late at night.

Men should be imprisoned because they generate trouble. Let the ladies go," the judge commanded.

Also Read: Kerala Assembly Passes University Law Amendment Bill

Government must ensure the safety of college campuses, the court ruled, it is useless to impose curfews on women's hostels

The Kerala University of Health Sciences caused uproar two days ago when it stated that "women acquire complete maturity only at 25" and that "independence at 18 years may not be appropriate and good for the society."

In an affidavit submitted to the high court, the institute defended the women's dorm curfew hours, arguing that keeping the hostel gates open without any restrictions would be bad for society. It stated that students were not intended for the nightlife or sleepless nights.

In the affidavit, it was stated that "age of maturity does not bring brain maturity" and that "scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that adolescent brain is structurally and functionally vulnerable to environmental stresses, risky behaviour, drug addiction, impaired driving, and unprotected sex." Many women's bodies criticised the affidavit, and the court declined to investigate it as well.

Also Read: Kerala High Court struck down Section 10A of the Indian Divorce Act

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