SMS alert! Maharashtra proposes to block cellphone signals on campuses

A jammer disables cellphones by blocking signals.

Mumbai University (MU) issued a circular to affiliated colleges on June 25 seeking opinion. Based on the response,it will submit a report.

Telecom experts termed the proposal ridiculous. They said students could always circulate videos,photos,text outside campuses. Further,they pointed out,making videos did not require telecom network.

“We received a letter from the department and have issued a circular to all affiliated colleges seeking opinion on installing mobile phone jammers. The department has not set a deadline to gather the data,” said M A Khan,MU registrar.

The higher and technical education department wrote to universities following a series of requests by Ashok Lad,an NCP youth leader from Aurangabad,who has been pursuing the issue for almost a year.

The proposal was once rejected earlier this year.

Minister for Higher and Technical Education Rajesh Tope,who also belongs to

NCP,could not be reached for comment.

Lad claimed students use cellphones to circulate vulgar messages,pictures and videos.

“Some students take pictures and participate in other vulgar activities using cellphones in classroom and on campus. Some blackmail others. To curb all this,I have suggested the higher and technical education department install mobile phone jammers on campuses.”

Vijay Pandharipande,vice-chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,said,“It will be unfair to take away freedom of students by jamming their phones. At the most,we can ban mobiles in classrooms.

“We haven’t received the letter yet.”

Kumudhavalli Sarangpani,registrar,SNDT,Mumbai too denied receiving such a letter. “Though most students use mobiles as a fad,parents provide phones for use in emergencies. Jammers will also block phones of staff members causing inconvenience.”

Manoj Tekade of Prahar Vidyarthi Sanghatana said: “This is unfair. We will raise the issue with the minister in a day or two.”