Friday, September 20, 2019

Access to Internet is a basic right: Kerala HC

Upholds college student’s plea

20/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,KOCHI

The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the right to have access to the Internet is part of the fundamental right to education as well as the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Justice P.V. Asha made the observation while ordering the principal of Sree Narayanaguru College, Kozhikode, to re-admit a student who had been expelled from the college hostel for using her mobile phone beyond the restricted hours.

The court observed, “When the Human Rights Council of the United Nations has found that the right of access to Internet is a fundamental freedom and a tool to ensure right to education, a rule or instruction which impairs the said right of the students cannot be permitted to stand in the eye of law.”

The verdict came on a petition filed by Faheema Shirin, a third-semester B.A. English student of the college at Chelanur, challenging her expulsion for not adhering to restrictions on the use of mobile phone. As per the rules of the girls’ hostel, inmates were restrained from using mobile phones from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. She, along with a few other inmates, had protested against the restriction, as it was hampering their learning process.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Why Stalin-EPS war of words is bad for Vijay

Why Stalin-EPS war of words is bad for Vijay  STORY BOARD ARUN RAM 18.11.2024  James Bond’s creator Ian Fleming said: Once is happenstance. ...