Thiruvananthapuram: Banished from hostel, student wins case over mobile phone use


Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram (SP)

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 21: A college student from Kozhikode, Kerala, was not agreeable with the rules of the hostel where she had got the accommodation that all hostel inmates have to deposit their mobile phones with the hostel warden between 6 pm and 10 pm. She refused to follow this rule, and was promptly driven out of the hostel. She fought against the rule, and the state high court, on Thursday September 20, passed a judgement stating that the said rule was unwarranted and unreasonable. It has asked the authorities to admit the student into the hostel.

The student in question who gustily followed her case and won it happens to be 19-year-old Fatima Shirin, a second year student of Sri Narayana Guru College at Kozhikode, Kerala. She had refused to deposit her mobile phone with the warden between 6 pm and 10 pm and therefore got expelled from the hostel. Till recently, the hostel had followed the rule that all girl students at the hostel were to leave their mobile phones and laptops with the warden between 10 pm to 6 am. The above change in rule had been brought about in June this year.

Fatima says that students use mobile phones and internet for many purpose including studies. She claims that she uses her phone for studies, assignments, and research, and clarified that she did not fall in line with the hostel rule as it would have deprived her of access to information during her study hours. Her father understood he predicament and supported her legal fight.

She contended in the high court that the rule about depositing of mobile phones with the warden was tantamount to encroachment of her fundamental right to freedom of expression, as well as right to privacy and education. She drew the attention of the high court about the budget speech of the finance minister about making internet accessible to all.

After Fatima was removed from the hostel, she had to travel about 120 km every day from her home to the college. The court judgement has given her relief from this ordeal and saved her time for study. It is however, learnt that the college had enforced the above rule on the basis of various complaints received from the parents.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Sun, Sep 22 2019

    well done.Rules can be followed if they are acceptable .Nowadays mobiles and laptops are part of your life and studies for students.

    what will warden do with mobiles later does anyone know?It looks like these rules are for KG children,but not for college students.and she had to travel so far till case was settled.so she should have demanded this money from warden.without mobiles students also cant communicate with anyone if any problem arise .silly rules.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tubelight, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Then why mobiles are not allowed in the court room my lots?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,,, MANGALORE

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Today from hostel tomorrow college class room, the court must not intervene individual hostel rules and regulations. the rules are made some purposes which need to be followed.

    DisAgree [26] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia Goveas, mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Rules are made for purpose !! as you said is correct. but, rules should have value . the hostels are for accommodation support, they can keep some restriction because children well enough to take care of themselves and parents too will keep eye on them always . restriction is always good but not beyond the limit.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Syed Mohiudin, Iruvail/Riyadh

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    School or College authorities are taking certain decision due to some students misusing cell phones and this will affect most of the students to use for good purpose.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh Babu, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Studies can be done before 22:00 hrs.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arman, Dubai

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    BJP's only worry.. Democracy still exist in kerala...

    DisAgree [14] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • netizen, Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Her point is valid. Digital students do seek the help of internet perusing their studies.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasad, Hubli

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    How you over look twenty years back..when no internet around.
    Initially people shout and call people during azaan...now thru loud speaker. If you are not obeying rules of the institution better switch on to other institutions. Why you are spoiling living standard of other co-girls..who obey the same. No one should challenge any institution. It's upto to there choice..maintaining discipline in the interest of students only.

    DisAgree [35] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • netizen, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    I have nothing to argue with those who used of contempt of court.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • S H Mangalpady, Dubai

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Dear Prasad and All,

    Firstly we need to move ahead with techno;logy and time. When we say in olden times they use shout and now they use mikes, then in olden days we use to travel by horses now we use cars. Should we stop using cars then.
    The solution is we move ahead as science and technology improves our lifestyles. We can definitely find a mid-path for such issues instead of making it an ego issue by both parties concerned to flare up emotions and avoid such cases being filed to save judiciary time for more important work.
    Like in this case where the institution says parents have complained and where students say they need the instruments for their studies, let the parents choose whether they want their children to use or not use the instruments at the sole responsibility of the student and parent. This would have avoided the friction and embarrassment to all concerned.

    Similarly in all matters in our country if we live in coexistence and avoid the bitterness fed into us by our political leaders to advance their aims and goals we would be in a better country to live in.

    I request all fellow citizens of this beloved country to come together and avoid EGO related issues fuelled by our leaders for their personal interest and gains and live as one family like the olden days.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Kumar, Katipalla/Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Her point is valid, daye panda, your statement is biased, ponnu jokuleg freedom bokka equality korle anna mobile atth, let them come out of all the age old practices, social evils, oppression, exploitation

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh Babu, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    There are so many students in that hostel and many are come and gone they had now issues are having any issue then why just she as an issue?

    DisAgree [10] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Yet another interesting case from the protesters' own country.

    If everything is rebelled against, no institutions can run.

    But the people from the protesters' own country want to question every rule...

    ...and the state is bankrupt.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasad, Hubli

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    It can only happen in india...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • SJM, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 21 2019

    Most of the teachers now a days insists and send notes etc... to access internet instead of hard copies - Courtesy - Digital India. - Modiji
    I support this girl and respect court judgement .

    It's happening all over the world and not only in India.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Thiruvananthapuram: Banished from hostel, student wins case over mobile phone use



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