The letter with the guidelines first issued by the Uttar Pradesh government on August 30 this year read 'Coaching institutes should not conduct classes for girls beyond 8pm. If coaching institutes where girls are studying are found operating after 8pm, punitive action will be taken against them.'
The Uttar Pradesh government revoked the guidelines issued under the Safe City project which barred the coaching institutes from holding classes for girls beyond 8pm. As per media reports, the guidelines were first issued by the UP government on August 30 this year, which were then forwarded to the Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate on September 1.
The official letter with the guidelines read, “Coaching institutes should not conduct classes for girls beyond 8pm. If coaching institutes where girls are studying are found operating after 8pm, punitive action will be taken against them.”
Women activists and students widely criticised the regressive guidelines with several questioning the motive behind curtailing the movement of girls beyond a certain time.
Dr Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, special secretary, Uttar Pradesh in a letter said the guidelines issued on August 30 have been revoked and focus has been put on installing more CCTV cameras.
“The following guidelines are being issued by cancelling the previously issued guidelines. In connection with the establishment of Safe City project, all higher educational institutions should ensure 100% CCTV cameras. The said cameras should be installed at the entry and exit gates, on campus, in teaching rooms (inside and outside), gallery, verandah and main gate of and hostels of the educational institution. Provision of separate toilets for girl students should be ensured in higher educational institutions, especially coaching centres,” said the December 4 letter, which was received by the Gautam Budh Nagar district inspector of schools (DIOS) Dharmveer Singh and district magistrate Manish Verma on December 5.
“The aim of the previous guidelines was not to restrict anyone’s freedom. However, the new guidelines have been issued now wherein the older guidelines have been revoked,” said the DM.