On Wednesday, women students at Delhi University’s Rajiv Gandhi Hostel for Girls (RGHG) protested against the curbs imposed by university hostels that prohibited them from leaving the premises until 6 pm on account of Holi. The hostel administration had issued a notice on March 2, stating that visitors would not be allowed on Holi and that residents could only step out after 6 pm.
The move drew sharp criticism from students, who called it arbitrary and uncalled for. The women students argued that they were being confined to the hostels on International Women’s Day, which coincided with the Holi festival this year. They alleged that the gates of the hostel were locked to prevent them from stepping out.
University officials defended the move, stating that the notice was sent every year and that students could step out after signing an undertaking. However, the protesting students maintained that the curbs on their movement were unfair and that they should have been consulted before such restrictions were imposed.
The students at RGHG complex raised slogans on Wednesday afternoon to voice their dissent. The protest highlights the ongoing debate around women’s rights and autonomy in India. Many women in the country face various forms of restrictions on their movement, which limit their ability to participate fully in society.
As the country celebrates International Women’s Day, the protest at RGHG complex serves as a reminder that there is still a long way to go in ensuring gender equality and empowering women to exercise their rights and freedoms.
