Absolute freedom at 18 not good for society: KUHS
The court was hearing a petition filed by women students of Kozhikode Medical College, who challenged a directive of the Higher Education Department that prohibits their movement from hostels after 9.30 pm.
The Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) has stated that seeking absolute freedom at the age of 18 “may be inappropriate and not good for the society”. The university submitted this before the high court while hearing a petition filed by female students of Kozhikode Medical College against restrictions on movement of hostel inmates after 9.30 pm.
As per a report published in India Today, the Left government told the high court that it has issued an order on December 6 which relaxes hostel timings substantially and Justice Devan Ramachandran directed that the same be “implemented forthwith”. “As per the (new) order, even though the gates of the hostels –both for boys and girls – are to close by 9.30 pm, it gives sufficient leeway to the students to enter it after that time, subject to certain bare minimum conditions, except for the first year students, who are not yet used to the new environment and the locality,” the court observed.
It also observed that prima facie the government order was “a welcome step forward”. “Therefore, I direct all Principals and other authorities concerned of the medical colleges to act in terms of the afore government order with immediate effect,” Justice Ramachandran said.
The university, on the other hand, in its affidavit claimed that “age of maturity does not necessarily bring in brain maturation” and that there was scientific evidence to support the hypothesis that adolescent brain is “structurally and functionally vulnerable to environmental stresses, risky behaviour, drug addiction, impaired driving and unprotected sex”.
“The development of the prefrontal cortex of the brain is very important for complex behavioral performance and the development and maturation of prefrontal cortex is fully accomplished at the age of 25 years. Considering the above scientific facts, seeking absolute freedom on attaining the age of 18 may not be appropriate and good for the society," the university claimed.
'Sleepless nights, nightlife not for students'
The university also argued that since the petitioners were medical students whose classes start at 8 am, they require sufficient sleep after every day’s work. “Sleepless nights and nightlife are not meant for the students and it is the duty of the educational institution and the university to frame regulations contemplating sufficient rest to the students. The restrictions imposed are not absolute and the ordinance provides for the issuance of late passes from the persons concerned,” it has said in the affidavit.
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