BHU's first female proctor says no dress or alcohol ban for women on campus

Moneycontrol News

A day after Banaras Hindu University (BHU) appointed Professor Royona Singh as its first female chief proctor, Singh declared that there will be no ban on dress or alcohol for the women students on campus.

Amid the continued agitation by women for equal rights, Singh, in an interview with Times of India, questioned the objections laid down for females.

"If a girl feels comfortable in what she wears, what's their objection?" said Singh.

Singh, who is also a professor of anatomy, says that she finds it strange "when boys use the words 'skimpily clad'".

"I was born in Europe. I frequently travel to Europe and Canada. Putting a dressing restriction on girls would be like imposing it on myself. You start your day at 6 am and end at 10.30 pm, and if you still can't wear what you feel comfortable in, then it is a shame in this era".

However, Singh claimed the university has never imposed any curbs on women and has no plans to do so in future. "As far as drinking is concerned, all girls here are above 18, why should we even impose such a thought on them?" she said.

Singh was appointed the chief proctor after her predecessor, O N Singh, took moral responsibility for the recent violence on campus and resigned.

Stating her plans to introduce a range of measures ensuring safety of women in campus, she said that she has "zero-tolerance" towards sexual harassment.

"I was away when the incident took place. I have zero tolerance towards such acts and will ensure nothing of this sort is repeated on campus," she told news agency PTI.