Gender-discriminatory hostel curfew: women students approach Kerala HC
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Kothamangalam: More than thirty women students of Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, have filed a petition at Kerala High Court challenging their hostel curfew.
They sought the court to direct the college to change the curfew timing from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
The petitioners argued that imposing the curfew did not fall under the jurisdiction of the college as it is a case of gender discrimination and a violation of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.
They also cited the 2019 Government Order (GO) issued by the Kerala government, which stated that the curfew timing of every college women’s hostel in the state is 9.30 pm.
The curfew timing of 9.30 pm was also extended to other facilities in the college, including libraries, sports, and laboratories.
They have also alleged that they were threatened to be expelled.
"Under the pretext of implementing discipline in the College, the College cannot impose such restrictions preventing the liberty of the students to move in and outside the college campus," they said in their petition.
The case is listed for hearing by Justice Basant Balaji on Friday, August 11.
