LAHORE: A video showing of a local university staff member in Lahore breaking cellphones belonging to students went viral on Monday.
The incident of the moral policing by staff which reportedly took place at Avicenna Medical College has contributed to widespread fear among students.
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The video was posted on various social media sites with an accompanying text saying that it is routine behaviour for the varsity administration to snatch and destroy cellphones during inspections. One of the medical college’s students told the media that the incident was chaotic, violent and that there was no way to get in touch with parents.
“It is true that the college has its own code of conduct, but it is incomprehensible to create panic and then bash the phones for all to see,” she said.
“I think they want to act like some kind of moral police,” the student claimed.
“It is strange that Avicenna has such rules when the government or private universities allow cellphones,” she said, adding, “Instead of imposing a draconian code of conduct, they should try to convince students by giving them logical arguments.”
Abdul Waheed, a lecturer at the college, said that if students were allowed to bring cell phones to campus it would have destructive effects on the learning environment.
“The code of conduct has been imposed since the last 10 years the rules on campus are clear for students,” he said.
The lecturer further said that when students enrol at the college, they are told that smartphones are not allowed, however, they can bring cellphones without cameras so they can get in touch with their parents.
“Another reason for imposing this rule is to ensure the safety of female students,” claimed Waheed.
“Imagine a teacher giving his lecture and someone taking a selfie or a picture of a girl, that would not be a conducive environment to learn,” he added.
