DU female students protest against ‘curbs’ on movement on Holi

The women students at Delhi University's Rajiv Gandhi Hostel for Girls (RGHG) on Wednesday staged a protest on Wednesday against a notice from the administration, which allegedly barred students from leaving the hostel premises on Holi.

A notice dated March 2 issued by the section officer informed residents of the hostel that visitors will not be allowed on Holi and they could only step out after 6pm.

"All the residents of the hostel are hereby informed that 'no guest', 'no late night' and 'no leave' will be allowed on March 7 and 8 on the occasion of Holi festival." It added that the hostel would remain closed on March 8 between 7am and 5pm,''stated the notice.

"No visitors/guests will be allowed on the day of Holi festival. Residents can go out only after 6pm on March 8, 2023," read another notice from a full-time postgraduate students.

The curbs on movement invited sharp criticism from students who said that the move was uncalled for and arbitrary. The students claimed that they tried to submit a memorandum to the proctor of DU, but in vain.

"In the name of security, the university has pulled out the age-old sexist game of policing and caging up of women. Why can't women students get out of their hostels and enjoy Holi? Because of the way free hand is given to the lumpens and miscreants?" questioned All India Students Association (AISA) in a statement.

Students' Federation of India also condemned the "curfew" and demanded that the authorities should not "restrict" women in the name of "security". "If Holi proves to be an unsafe environment for women, then the men should be educated and taught to participate consensually in the festivities," SFI said in a statement.