Minister takes on Hindu College for ‘moral policing’

Delhi culture minister Kapil Mishra wrote to Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi urging him to remove the set of rules for the newly constructed hostel for women at Hindu College.

Mr Mishra in his letter accused the college authorities of imposing ridiculous, regressive, discriminatory and dictatorial rules on girl hostellers and sought the V-C’s intervention in this regard.

“The vast fee difference for hostel accommodation between men and women, with women being charged much more, is incomprehensible, will create resentment amongst students, and is deeply unjust. It is also much higher than the hostel fees at any other comparable DU college. I urge you to reduce the hostel fee and bring it at par,” the letter said.

While stressing the importance of DU as a beacon of excellence, a place of learning and an example to be emulated, Mr Kapil Mishra wrote, “All the rules mentioned in the prospectus are appalling, amount to moral policing and have no place in a civil and progressive society. It is shameful that even almost 200 years after Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s death, the women of DU, let alone India, are not truly free. We are still attempting to cage the women in our country under the garb of safety instead of demanding the rule of law, justice and order from the government and police.”

“Is there a difference in the view of Hindu College or others colleges of DU between male and female students 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 are not subject to the same rules at a college,” the letter added.