Pupils banned from kissing

TWO high schools in the Indian city of Mumbai have banned pupils from holding hands, kissing or touching on campus, warning they will face disciplinary action if caught, officials said yesterday.

The schools justified the move by saying these acts, which are increasingly being shown by the local entertainment industry and emulated by the students, were contrary to traditional Indian values.

Parents were told the Jamnabai Narsee school has a “zero tolerance toward bullying, vulgarity, vandalism and displays of affection not acceptable to society at large,” said principal J Vas.

“Hormones run riot at 16 to 18 years and we need to take disciplinary measures, set limits and put in certain ground rules,” she said.

India is a society where public displays of affection are largely taboo. But in recent years, Indian-language movies are showing scenes of kissing, partly because of changing values as India opens up to the West.

Another code of conduct was recently released at the Vibgyor High School. It labelled “unwarranted touching” among students as an offence on the level with cursing and aggressive behaviour.

It said “clothing that is inappropriate or that exposes chest, shoulders, bare midsection or buttocks will not be permissible”.

School board member Rustom Kerawalla said: “Students must be made to understand that this is not the right thing to do in school.”

Those caught violating the rules will be punished and repeat offenders will be suspended.