Recently, Delhi High Court came to the rescue of a pregnant college student and stated that the girl cannot be barred from taking exams if her attendance is short due to pregnancy. College students in the capital have mixed opinions on the same. While many think it’s a favorable move, few discuss the flip side of students misusing it with fake reports.

Garima Vats, a PG student, Delhi University says, “It’s a great move towards women liberalisation. But considering the fact that students due to short of attendance take unethical and false way to get their Id proof. Making exams process easy for such students will keep them away from taking any immoral approach. Though life for a pregnant student is not easy, it’s no longer a taboo in colleges. The younger generation is quite liberal and makes college life easy for a young pregnant girl.”
Agrees Vrishnika Singh, a student of Kamla Nehru College and feels that it will provide women with great social security. “It’s the first time the system is coming out of its denial and accepting reality, giving women a stronger support. Many a times, students have to leave their studies mid-term. This will certainly take the pressure off their heads.”
Will this initiative encourage students to give in fake pregnancy reports to avail leave? Says Preeti Gulati, a second year student at St. Stephen’s College, “Students would rather take a break and leave college instead. It’s a well-thought move but proper implementation is required, so that students do not misuse it with fake pregnancy reports.”
Seconds Ruchika Rai, a media professional and an ex-DU student, “In this modern world, with all the freedom, do you think any girl would take the risk of getting pregnant or prefer to be tied down to motherhood? Pregnancy is not fun and motherhood is a life-long responsibility. Girls today are smarter and would not risk life just to get an exemption from studies. And even if it happens accidentally, students should not be penalised or punished, but should be encouraged to move forward with all support from college authorities as well as friends.”
Many even support pre-marital sex and do not claim it not be an offence. Says, Pooja Singh, a student of Daulat Ram College, “As society today is changing at a rapid pace and we must be in tune with the realities and not hold on to archaic social mores. Once such a right, however unpopular, is recognised, it cannot be ruled out that there can be more cases of girl students proceeding on maternity leave when while they are still in college. After all, motherhood is not a medical condition but a promise.”
And with students supporting the new system, professors too give thumbs up to this.
Avers Ghazal Amin, a media professional and an associate professor of history mass communication at JMC, “The cases are quite less and exception and are mostly in non-collegiate courses, giving such probation is a progressive move. In our society, choice of getting into motherhood is mostly taken by husband or girls’ in-laws. But, once the girl is pregnant, this is solely her responsibility. At this difficult time, the education system should be made positive, to encourage them to give exams by relaxing rules. It will only empower their future, making them more confident.”