The Hindu : Kerala News : Mobile phone use on campus may be curbed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Mobile phone use on campus may be curbed

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. Jan. 6. The State Government will consider putting curbs on the use of mobile phones in schools and colleges in the State, the Education Minister, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, has said.

At a meeting with representatives of student organisations to find ways to tackle cyber crimes on campuses, he said that the Government would hold consultations to find out how to restrict the mushrooming of internet cafes in the State. The Minister said that restrictions had to be imposed on such cafes, as they were becoming centres for accessing and disseminating pornographic material. Cyber experts would be consulted on how to effectively block the access of pornographic and adult websites from computer systems in schools and colleges, he said.

Total ban impossible

"A total ban on the use of mobile phones on campuses may not be practical. Student organisations have a role to play in checking cyber crimes on campuses and in spreading awareness among students about the ways to check such crimes. The Government will see to it whether the Supreme Court verdict on harassment at workplace can be extended to cyber-harassment of students on campuses. Cyber crimes will also be a topic of study in the syllabus of various courses," he said.

On the fashion shows and cinematic dances being held in schools and colleges, the Minister said that if any institution organised such shows in an indecent manner, strict action would be taken against that institution.

Mr. Basheer accepted, in principle, the suggestion from student leaders to set up committees in schools, colleges and universities to check cyber crimes and cyber harassment on campuses. "I will place this in the agenda of a meeting of the Inter-University Consultative Committee on January 20," he said.

Ban on politics

Various student leaders who spoke at the meeting told the Minister that the move by college managements to ban student organisations on campuses would only serve to give a free rein to forces which perpetrated cyber crimes, sex rackets and drug pedalling on campuses. When a student leader complained that some management did not allow college unions even to organise seminars, the Minister said that such an attitude of managements was totally unacceptable. He also refuted the charge levelled by some student leaders that the Government was acting in tandem with those who wish to do away with student organisations. The meeting unanimously agreed to request students to contribute to the tsunami relief fund.

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