Ravenshaw withdraws campus restriction order for women | Bhubaneswar News – Times of India

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Ravenshaw University withdrew a controversial order that prohibited all female faculty, staff, and students from staying on campus beyond 5:30pm within hours of issuing it after it drew sharp criticism from different quarters. The notification was issued by the registrar on Thursday. The move was described as a temporary measure until a formal standard operating procedure (SOP) could be framed to ensure safety and define work-hour guidelines. But it triggered a backlash for being discriminatory and regressive, prompting the university administration to retract it.“The order was meant as a temporary precautionary step while we prepare a comprehensive safety SOP. We have withdrawn the notice to launch another fresh notification which will give details of the SOP in the varsity,” said registrar Kahnu Charan Mallick. A revised SOP is expected to be released soon. University authorities have assured that the new guidelines will be inclusive, practical, and aimed at creating a secure environment for all. “Restricting women from staying on campus after 5:30 pm is not a solution to safety concerns. It’s a step backward. Instead of curbing our freedom, the university should focus on improving security infrastructure,” said Ananya Das, a student of Ravenshaw University. A female student said the Balasore girl set herself ablaze during broad daylight and the girl was allegedly harassed during college hours. “Will campus become safe if girls do not stay in the university after 5:30pm?” she asked.Another female student said the person who has ill intentions can create problems for girls or women employees before 5:30pm. “Instead of strengthening security measures on the campus, prohibiting the presence of women staff and girl students inside the campus after 5:30pm shows the medieval thinking of the administrators,” she added. Social activist Namita Panda said, “Can girl students and women staff remain safe if they are confined to the four walls of hostels or quarters? Try to provide them security instead of restricting their movement.”