The Hindu College of Delhi University (DU) on Wednesday informed the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) that due to delay in release of funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the fee of the girl’s hostel was increased.
The college also informed the women’s panel that there was no discrimination between hostel curfew timings for boys and girls.
The DCW had summoned the principal of the college over concerns regarding discriminatory hostel rules for girls. The college had run into controversy by having the girls students pay double what boys pay for accommodation.
College refutes all claims
In a letter addressed to DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal, Hindu College principal Anju Srivastava said: “The boy’s hostel was built in the 1950s with the help of UGC funding. In contrast, the construction of the girls’ hostel happened without any external funding and its operation is not aided by any maintenance grants.”
Refuting claims of gender discrimination in the college, Ms. Srivastava wrote: “Please rest assured that there is no tolerance of gender discrimination in the college and we will continue to work to empower women within and beyond this institution.”
Commenting on the issue, Ms. Maliwal said: “I will speak to Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on this issue. I would like to bring to his notice the disparity between fees for girl’s hostel and boy’s hostel. I will also meet UGC officials.”
“The government that propagates “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” should ensure that there is no discrimination against women studying in the university,” she added.