Medical college students in hostels can go out after 9.30 pm, informs govt in Kerala HC

KOCHI: The government has informed the High Court that medical college students will be allowed to leave their hostels even after 9.30 pm. In case of emergency, students can go out with the permission of the warden. In other cases, parental consent is needed. The government has also informed that this is applicable to medical students from the second year onwards.

Then, the High Court has directed to modify the order passed on the 12th by clarifying that there is no restriction on entering the hostel even after 9:30 pm. Justice Devan Ramachandran gave instructions on petitions filed by female students of various medical colleges against the hostel curfew at 9:30 pm. The petitions will be heard again on January 31 to inform about the implementation of the order.

The court appreciated the petitioners for being the voice of independent thinking. They oppose the male-dominated situations. The petition helped create a different perspective.

The court also directed to form an internal grievance redressal committee in colleges within two months as per UGC guidelines to prevent violence against women. UGC guidelines to ensure gender equality should also be implemented. It was clarified that the students can approach the principal or then the KUHS for facilities like library and recreation in the hostel.

At the same time, the government said that no decision has been taken on the demand for concession of hostel curfew to engineering colleges as well. The issue will be considered on January 10.

The High Court observed that it did not agree with the argument that hostels should be kept open at any time, and if that were to happen, the society would have to change. “We have not reached the point where there are no restrictions on campus. Even fundamental rights are restricted. KUHS insists that basic discipline is enforced in hostels. There is no doubt about it.

The government's new order will address the concerns of the petitioners to a large extent. As the period changes, there will be more concessions. There should be a situation where girls and women can go out anytime. But our state has not advanced that much. Our public places, streets and roads should be changed enough so that women can go out on day pr night without fear.”, the court said.