The belief that “indecent” clothes and cellphones cause moral degradation appears to cut across parties if a petition submitted by Congress women activists to Minister of State for Women and Child Development Umashree is any indication.
The activists, who met Ms. Umashree at the KPCC office, petitioned her to ban cellphones for students below 16 and introduce dress code in PU colleges.
She told party workers that a panel of the State legislature, headed by Congress MLA Shakuntala Shetty, had recommended ban on use of cellphones in schools and colleges. But Ms. Shetty had not explained any reason behind the recommendation, she said.
It was true that schoolchildren were surfing the internet on cellphones and she would consult departments concerned on the issue and take a decision on a ban in schools, she said.
Further urgingThe Human Rights cell of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee too urged the Minister to ban cellphones on school and college premises. In fact, some schools have already banned them on their premises.
On introduction of uniforms, Ms. Umashree said a decision on a dress code would be taken after discussing the issue with officials of the Primary and Secondary Education Department.
