New Delhi, March 12, 2017: Two hostels for girls under Delhi University have barred the boarders from going out on Holi, drawing sharp and immediate reactions from students who termed this step as "arbitrary".

DU's International Student House for Women (ISHW) has stated that they came to this decision considering "the best interest of residents".

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According to the ISHW notice, "Residents and female guests will not be allowed to leave or enter the premises from 9 PM on March 12 till 6 PM on March 13. No late night permission will be granted on March 12 and those desirous of playing Holi should go outside the residential block within the hostel premises."

According to PTI reports, a similar notice has been issued by Meghdoot Hostel, informing its residents that "the main gate will remain closed from 6 AM to 5.30 PM on March 13". The inmates have also been barred from consuming "any narcotic drugs in form of thandai" and has also advised the students not to return to the hostel late in the evening of March 12.

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According to the statement of Pinjra Tod, a group of students who have been rallying against discriminatory rules for girls in university hostels, "The rise in sexual violence and harassment that women experience on the streets around Holi is barely addressed and instead once again, women are locked up for their own safety and arbitrary restrictions are imposed on their mobility."

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Last week the group had protested outside the office of the Women and Child Development Ministry because of their objection to the statement by its minister Maneka Gandhi advocating curfew for the school and college students living in hostels-both boys and girls- to keep them away from their "own hormonal outbursts".

– prepared by Durba Mandal of NewsGram. Twitter: @dubumerang