‘Freedom struggle’ to spread to more hostels

Thiruvananthapuram: When the clock strikes 6.30pm, gates of several of women’s hostels in the district are closed. Inmates who are late will then have to undergo a series of procedures from speaking with the warden and writing an explanation to involving their parents to obtain permission for getting in.
A few days ago, women’s hostel inmates of two prestigious colleges - College of Engineering and Government Law College - successfully waged a battle and got the hostel curfew hours relaxed till 9.30pm. Their success has now inspired inmates of other hostels to raise their demands.

According to Sukrutha Sudevan, a second-year PG student of University of Kerala, Kariavattom campus, the college authorities should realize the inconvenience that the students face because of the 6.30 pm deadline. “ We wanted a change in this time as most of us are preparing for competitive exams. While many other underprivileged students are going for part-time jobs like teaching at tuition centres after class time,” said Sukrutha and added that the current curfew time was inconvenient.

“When girls are asked to return to the hostel at 6 30 pm, it badly affects our academic and artistic lives. Most of the students depend on books in libraries which are open till 8pm,” said Krishnapriya – a second year BA English student of University College, who stays at University Hostel for Women at Thycaud.

To someone like Arya P V, a third-year student at Mar Gregorios College of Law, Nalanchira, who spent her two years at Mary Matha Ladies Hostel, life was just like in a prison.

Collegiate education director Haritha V Kumar said the concerns expressed by the students were genuine. “The hostels under the DCE are managed by a handbook which still states 5.30pm as the deadline for women’s hostel. We are revising it and there will be timely changes,” said Haritha who issued an order extending curfew time of Law College Hostel.