Chandigarh, Sept 2: As Panjab University’s student council elections approach, hostel-entry timings for girls have once again become a hot-button issue on campus. Student parties across the city are echoing calls for extended hours and uniform rules for both genders.
While hostels within the PU campus remain open 24 hours—a change introduced in 2018 following a student movement led by Kanupriya, the university’s first female PUCSC president—many city colleges maintain strict curfews for female residents. Several colleges require girls to return by 6 pm, citing safety concerns, whereas male students face no similar restrictions.
With elections near, candidates have included demands for equal hostel timings in their manifestos. Jaspreet Kaur, a first-year BA student contesting the presidency from Pal Phalwan Student Organisation (PPSO) at DAV College, said, “I am committed to gender equality and will push for uniform hostel rules for girls and boys.”
Echoing her stance, Aaryan, a first-year BSc student contesting for vice-president from Hindustan Student Association (HSA) at DAV College, said, “Girl students have long been demanding extended hostel timings. There is no reason why hostel rules should not be the same for both genders.”
City colleges collectively enroll more than 40,000 students, roughly half of whom attend girls’ colleges. Six dedicated girls’ colleges, along with co-ed colleges such as DAV College (Sector 10), SD College (Sector 32), PGGC (Sector 11), and GCCBA (Sector 50), provide hostel facilities.
Current curfews vary widely: at PGGC-Sector 11, girls must return by 6 pm; at PGGC-42, the curfew is 6.30 pm. DAV College girls face an 8 pm curfew, while boys can stay out until 10 pm. SD College girls must return by 7.30 pm, while boys are allowed until 9 pm. In MCM DAV College for Women, outings are now permitted only on alternate days following heightened India-Pakistan tensions in May.
Gaganpreet, a third-year BA student contesting for the presidency at PGGCG-42, called for outings on gazetted holidays. “Students are only allowed outside on Wednesdays and Sundays. College authorities should at least allow outings on gazetted holidays,” she said.
Other candidates echoed similar sentiments. Bhavya, presidential candidate at SD College, said, “Parents usually do not object to outings till 8 pm. Girls should at least be allowed that time.” Sachin, contesting for HSA at PGGC-11, questioned, “When PU girls’ hostels remain open 24/7, why not college hostels? Every student has the right to equality.”
College authorities, however, stress safety and parental concerns. PGGC-11 principal JK Sehgal said, “We did not feel such a requirement earlier. Only during election time does the issue get highlighted. Parents’ wishes must be considered.” PGGCG-42 principal Anita Kausha added, “These rules have long been in place for the safety and security of girls. I cannot comment on private colleges.”
