New Delhi: HRD minister Smriti Irani has asked for a report seeking details from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on why girls are not permitted into the university library. The ministry told the vice-chancellor Lt-Gen Zameer Uddin Shah that its rigid rules are a violation of human rights.
“AMU VC’s reported remark not only hurts as a woman but also agitates”, Irani said terming it as “insult to daughters”. “It’s unfortunate to hear that in the temple of education, women are being disrespected,” Irani said.Â
Earlier, Shah had turned down a plea from the undergraduate women students to access to the main university library. Shah said that if women are allowed they would ‘attract’ more boys.
According to media reports, the V-C was quoted giving an explanation as to why girls should not be allowed inside the library. He said that if it happens, there will be ‘four times more boys’ following the girls.Â
The report states that students from the Women’s College don’t have access to the library since its inception. Women’s students unions in the past had demanded entry to the library, in vain.
The Women’s College has its own library within its premises, though students have often complained of it not being properly equipped and have demanded access to the main library, situated in the heart of the campus.Â
Justifying his decision, he said it is not an issue of discipline, but of space. Postgraduate and students from professional courses already have access to the main library.Â
Criticising the V-C’s remarks, the Delhi Commission for Women chief Barkha Singh Shukla said, “The statement shows his regressive thought process. They have always tried to dominate women. If space is issue, they must make space. Liberation of women is at stake.”Â
The controversial statement is being widely debated on social networking sites by people questioning Gen Shah’s decision.