A judgment from Kerala High Court attracted national-level interest. A college management run hostel brings a restriction saying, students of under graduation should not use mobile phones from 6 pm to 10 pm and denies the use of laptops inside the hostel. They were asked to submit their mobile phones to the respective wardens in the evenings to ensure the above is followed. But a student among them resists abiding by the rule saying 'usage of mobile phone is my fundamental right'. In response, she was sent out of the hostel.
These
incidents explain two things. Firstly, the bravery of a girl to reach the
judiciary against the management; her political consciousness. Another one, our
education system, which pushes her to this extreme. 19-year-old Faheema Shirin
is a student of B.A. English Literature, discusses various things parallel to
the incident.
Restriction of mobile
phones in colleges seen as a common rule. Why did you carry this up to court?
Every
device became meaningful only with the way it is used. We can use mobile phones
for many good things and learning. I felt this restriction is regressive. It is
also inclusive of gender discrimination, it is restricted only in girl's hostel
saying that, it will take students in the wrong direction. Hence I decided to
oppose this strongly.
Whether your fellow
hostel mates were supportive?
We
cannot expect the same point of view when we grow from environments with different
views on life. Some of them obeyed the orders as they were scared of their
parents. Some of them didn't even look at it as an issue of individual rights. Few
among them were scared to oppose the management even though they felt it’s an
issue to be opposed. Even then, nearly all of them given moral support to my
decision.
How did your
teachers treat you?
Some
of them felt my resistance is necessary. At the same time, I could understand
that they can’t act against the management. Even though they did not give any
direct support in the field they have assured me that they won't be giving any
trouble.
How were your
thoughts in those two months?
College
situated 80km from my home, it’s five hours journey every day. I was affected
both physiologically and psychologically. Visiting classes on time was a
challenging thing in those two months. Sometimes I felt very alone. But I never
worried about my decision. I was prepared to face the difficulties than obeying
the management.
Suppose, if you
have failed or if it has taken a long time for the judgment how would you have
encountered?
I
strongly believed that I will succeed. A court acts in this era could give this
kind of judgment only. My worries were different: If the judgment took too long
due to the slow process existing in the judiciary, it will delay my entry to
the hostel. I wouldn’t have worried even if I have lost in this case. As of me,
this attempt is very important.
Why and how did you
take it to court? How was that experience?
Through
my friend; he only suggested to take this issue to court. Then I started to
search whether any such examples in the judiciary. Then I came to know about
LCSR - The Legal Collective for Students Rights, a non-profit organization run
by students and lawyers which aids students in judicial proceedings. I
contacted them through their Facebook page ‘Your Lawyer Friend’, with their
assistance the issue has taken to court. Our lawyer, Legith T Kottakkal brought
success in this case by handling in a way that my presence won’t be a necessity
during hearings.
Tell us about your
family and your parent's stand.
My
parents were aware of how this world is changing. They never imposed their
dreams on us. We have a healthy environment to discuss the issues we come
across. My family won’t be interfering with the decisions I make about own life.
Book reading has helped to improve these thoughts further.
My
parents were stood by me when relatives stood against my decision. When I told my
father about the new restrictions brought to our hostel he said, “Shirin, never
bow down to power at any point. The struggles you are going to face by
resisting is better than the privileges you are going to enjoy by obeying”
As a student, what
are your thoughts on our education system?
Indian
education environment is a system of authoritarianism. It always uses its power
to bring students as per their wish. This system is destroying political consciousness
which is not a healthy sign. Parents also instrumental in changing the
educational environment into a factory that produces mere gomashtas. But, students, upcoming generations must seek to change it.
-Mohamed
Riyas
riyas.ma@hindutamil.co.in
References:
1. Originally published in a Tamil
daily – The Hindu Tamil Thisai: அரசியல் உணர்வையே நம் கல்விமுறை அழித்துவருகிறது: கேரள மாணவி ஃபாஹிமா ஷிரின் பேட்டி
2. Case summary and Judgment: Shirin R.K. v. State of Kerala
