Students of an engineering college here boycotted classes in protest of a regressive diktat that prohibited boys from commingling with girls. The order to this effect was issued by the college director.
Engineering students of Krishna Institute of Engineering & Technology (KIET) at Murad Nagar boycotted classes and raised slogans against the college management for gender-based segregation. The students alleged that the new draconian rules enforced by the college director Sharwan Mukherjee were discriminatory in nature.
Boys and girls are required to sit in separate rows in the classroom. Conversation between them during study hours too is discouraged. No girl student is allowed outside the hostel after 6.00 pm. The director has also banned students from undertaking a training module outside the college.
When contacted, Umesh Sharma — the college administrator — justified the move saying the university mandates 75 per cent classroom attendance and the students needed ‘disciplining’. Proponents argue that taking sex out of classrooms helps students focus on academics and reduces gender stereotyping. Critics say that the policy is unconstitutional and reinforces antiquated gender stereotypes.