It was shocking that some of most the learned (sic) people – that too at the helm of affairs of educational bodies like the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University – who says that girls are not allowed in library as it would cause “four times more boys” to come there; also it was on the plea that it was essentially an issue of space since the library is already crowded. This is most absurd logic and abrogates girls free and equal right of status of women guaranteed under The Constitution. There cannot be a difference or have rules separately on such subjects.
There is a simple way to regulate the number of visitors in the library like first come first serve or encourage voluntarily lending books to be read at home or hostel, for reference books allow short term lending say only for a day or so. The argument that girls in library attract boys is most illogical and not tenable. This shows narrow minded /orthodox thinking of not the 20th century.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
