Click to play videoNew Delhi: St Stephen's acting college has been getting flak from all quarters after he made a controversial statement during an interview to an in house magazine. The comment has angered the teachers and students alike.
Dr M S Frank made a half-humorous comment when asked about co-educational hostels being set-up on the college campus. He told the college magazine that if St Stephen's sets up a co-educational hostel, it would have to set up maternity wards as well.
His statement has sent ripples across the student fraternity in one of India's top colleges and has outraged the faculty and parents as well.
"His statement is really sad and really unfortunate. He should not have spoken like this about the female sex," says St Stephen's teacher, Pankaj Mishra.
Students are also appalled at the statement.
"Speaking from a student's point of view, I think we are mature enough. We know what we have to do in life and we have some self control in us," says a student
However, there are some who believe that this issue is being blown out of proportion.
"I'm taking it as his sense of humour and I appreciate that. It was a joke and it should be treated as one," says a parent.
"If he said it as a joke, then it's fine. But if he seriously meant it then it's wrong," says a student.
And on the larger issue of mixed hostels, the opinions are still divided.
"I think it's true that a maternity ward would have to be build in case of a co-ed hostel. I don't think boys and girls can stay in the same hostel," says a student.
There are also some who feel the society is ready for co-ed hostels.
"It's a very open society and people should go for it," says a parent.
Meanwhile, M S Frank's comment has ruffled a few feathers even in the college's governing body. Sources in the St Stephens' supreme council have condemned the act saying it's inexcusable.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
 |
 |
 |
|
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.