The drunken behaviour of a Panjab University engineering student last weekend forced the authorities to expel her from the hostel and suspend her from the University Institute of Engineering and Technology. The character certificate of the final year student was put on hold by PU on Tuesday.
The girl, who hails from Rajasthan, was found drunk after she created a ruckus outside her hostel in PU on Saturday night.
She was also given a warning by PU authorities and a female teacher was deputed for her counseling on Tuesday.
“The girl is in pressure as the matter has been highlighted by the media. We have given final warning to her. We will talk to her once the counseling session is complete,” said Renu Vij, Director, UIET, PU.
But the case is not an isolated one as it pointed to the increasing incidents of drunken behaviour in the city raising question on the security of women which has been the utmost priority after the Delhi gang-rape case.
"Recently, many cases came in the limelight showing the participation of women in drinking and creating nuisance in the city. The popular thinking among females that, “why should boys have all the funIJ” is making them more prone to drinking," a PhD student said.
Talking to The Pioneer, Harjit Kaur, (Station House Officer) SHO, Sector 19, Chandigarh Police, said, “Though we talk about the gender equality, we also need to understand that biological differences will remain same. I have observed during my services that day by day cases of women drinking are increasing. Earlier, negligible cases were registered.”
Some of city women have confessed that fast changing trends in the current social milieu has corrupted the mindset of women and by indulging in such cases of drinking the women think that they will be held at par with their male counterpart in the society.
However, while talking to the experts, the key reason that comes out is the adaptation of western culture by the youngsters and communication gap between parents and youngsters.
Rajesh Gill, chairperson of Women Studies, PU said, “Adoption of western culture by the society is in vogue. The trends are changing but we are forgetting to cultivate values in our young children which is need of the hour. Indian women are also adopting the western trends but they have no idea about the consequential results. We have our own culture. Parents need to educate their daughters.”
Most of the educational institutions have turned a blind eye to such incidents by shunning their responsibility towards the making of a better Indian society.
“We carry out surprise inspection in the hostel premises. Usually, we do it twice a month but sometimes gap of inspection is stretched. We keep a tab for alcoholic substance to avert any girl from carrying it in the hostel,” said a PU hostel warden on conditions of anonymity.
However, youngsters have perception that drinking is not a bad habit. Rennu Singh, a student said, “There is no harm in drinking. One has the right to enjoy life".
On Contrary, Nandita Singh, chairperson of Education Department, PU said, “Drinking by a woman is not a new phenomenon. Women used to drink earlier as well and today too."