VARANASI: Banaras Hindu University’s (BHU) newly appointed chief proctor Royona Singh — the first woman to hold the post in the institute's 101-year-old history — is named after a French town, is categorical that there should be no restriction on dress and alcohol for female students at BHU, or ban on non-vegetarian food in the messes.

She reiterated that the varsity had never imposed any restrictions on women in the past and would not do so in the future. "As far as drinking is concerned, all girls here are above 18, why should we even impose such a thought on them?" she asked.

"I was born in Europe. I frequently travel to Europe and Canada. Putting a dressing restriction on girls would be like imposing it on myself. You start your day at 6am and end at 10.30pm, and if you still can't wear what you feel comfortable in, then it is a shame in this era. I find it strange when boys use the words 'skimpily clad'. If a girl feels comfortable in what she wears, what's their objection?" she said.

BHU's new chief proctor Royona Singh, a professor of anatomy at the university's Institute of Medical Sciences, was raised in the French town of Royan for nine years in the 1980s.

She reiterated that the varsity had never imposed any restrictions on women in the past and would not do so in the future. "As far as drinking is concerned, all girls here are above 18, why should we even impose such a thought on them?" she asked.

"As far as I know, in my medical hostel, the diet is vegetarian only if a majority of the girls prefer that. For others, they still have their non-veg on particular days," Singh told this reporter.