ABVIMS- RML Hospital Female MBBS Students Allege Gender Discriminatory Hostel rules, seek uniform code of conduct for all medicos

New Delhi: The female MBBS students of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (ABVIMS & RML) have alleged that they are facing 'gender discriminatory hostel laws, suppressive rules and harassment' at the hands of the authorities. The medicos have demanded a uniform code of conduct for all medicos, saying that this measure is currently absent.

The students have alleged that the hostel in-timings were decreased only for female medicos and recently it was made a requirement to send the monthly hostel attendances at home to confirm with the parents. Further, they alleged that any attempts at going to eat or to study in the common room and making phone calls to parents at late hours of the night are also met with resistance. They said that these rules, which are not officially documented, restrict women's freedom and reinforce old-fashioned ideas rather than ensuring safety.  "Authorities enforce these rules poorly and show no accountability. Instead of creating an inclusive environment, they foster fear and control," the medicos informed the Medical Dialogues Team on the condition of anonymity.

According to the students, the representatives were being pressured to submit a letter agreeing to the mentioned rules, when no rules were officially published. 

Raising these issues, all UG girls' hostel residents recently wrote to the Chairperson of the Hostel Committee, the Director and Medical Superintendent of ABVIMS & RML Hospital. Highlighting the gender disparity, the students pointed out that there is currently no active measure to establish a uniform code of conduct for all UG students.

They claimed that the requirement to maintain an entry and exit register beyond and within designated hours unfairly targets undergraduate girls. Further, the girls alleged that the sole responsibility for submitting leave applications for home visits falls on UG girls and the monthly attendance reports are also sent exclusively to the homes of the female students only.

In the letter, the female medicos pointed out that the absence of guards on boys' floors raises the question as to whether the guards are present for security or to monitor and restrict the movement of female students.

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Even though these new rules have been implemented from 01.05.2024, the medicos alleged that there are no official documents outlining the implementation these rules or any separate notices detailing district regulations for male and female students.

"The moral policing of girls in the hostel is intrusive and oppressive, infringing upon their autonomy and personal freedoms. Interfering with where girls go and what they do, and dictating what is deemed appropriate for them, is a form of unjust control that violates their agency and the right to make their own choices," the students mentioned in the letter, a copy of which is with Medical Dialogues Team.

The students pointed out that all colleges in and around Delhi have allowed considerable relaxation pertaining to the tights and needs in their residential hostels. On the other hand, despite being one of the top-most colleges in India, "there exists a notable contrast in regulations between our peers in other Delhi colleges, where uniformity is upheld, treating students as capable adults and decision-makers," the letter said.

After comparing the in-timings with the hostels of other institutes, the students mentioned that while such rules are being imposed, security measures that would actually ensure safety in and around the campus are absent. CCTVs are not in place, screening or regulation of people entering the hostel campus is not being done, there is no collaboration with authorities when required.

"Fire exits which are to be used in cases of emergency are kept chained close, which necessitates the question of whether safety is the real concern of the administration, or is it just control over the students," the students mentioned in the letter.

"It is both puzzling and frustrating that our living environment with the same peer group, seniors and juniors is deemed safe during daylight hours but suddenly perceived as hazardous post 10 PM. This stark distinction lacks a logical foundation while giving rise to a question- Are we saying that this environment which remains safe during the day, ceases to be safe post 10 PM with the same people in question," they further added.

The students also demanded assurance from the committee that if they follow these rules, the authorities will be completely and entirely responsible for any mishap that happens to them during the entirety of the day, inside and outside of the campus- in case of any illnesses, cases of sexual harassment and cases of assault etc.

In the letter, the female students referred to a previous incident of catcalling near the college campus and alleged that when support was required from the college administration, no help was provided, and neither did they follow up. The students themselves had to pursue with police authorities. Further, they referred to an incident when a student had fallen ill in the hostel, they were asked to vacate the hostel premises immediately. 

Further, the students cited the UGC guidelines dated 2nd May 2016 which mentioned, "Concern for the safety of women students must not be cited to impose discriminatory rules for women in hostels as compared to male students. Campus safety policies should not result in securitization, such as over monitoring or policing or curtailing the freedom of movement, especially for women employees and students."

Referring to this, the students alleged that the blatant non-compliance of the UGC Guidelines showed ignorance and failure of the administration. "All of the UG Girl Students find it utterly deplorable and degrading to be treated with this level of suppression and suspicion where no avenue for discussion has been left open for us. Every single time an issue like this is being voiced we are targeted due to our smaller number. The administration, trying to be our guardian, is not able to fulfil our needs in a civilised manner without dehumanizing us. Any issues we have brought us have been used against us to further oppress us. All the female UG students of this reputed college demand that these oppressive and draconic rules imposed on us starting from 1st May 2024 be lifted with immediate effect and that our concerns be listened to, failing which a state of non- compliance is inevitable," they mentioned in the letter.

However, as per the students, following the submission of the letter, they became target of the higher authorities and were threatened with respect to their academic future. The vocal students were allegedly also told to vacate the hostel premises, they said. When the students did not get any positive response from the authorities, they retaliated. Following this, the authorities called for a meeting with the students, decided to call their parents, and they students were "openly mocked and belittled", they further alleged.

The students also blamed the current power vacuum in the institute, due to the arrest of the hostel warden and the subsequent vacation of the Medical Superintendent and Director, as the reason for this situation. They claimed that these things are allegedly being used as excuses to dismiss and threaten students into compliance.

The students pointed out that despite fulling all the criteria and the demands of high merit to get admitted to this college, located in the heart of the country, they are being denied their basic rights compared to their male colleagues, and any concerns voiced are bring brutally suppressed.

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