Kerala HC: ‘No Means No’ Only Weak Men Dominate & Harass Women

The Kerala High Court by taking note of the increase in sexual harassment cases said, “Sexism is not acceptable or cool and children should be taught at a young age that real men don’t bully women.

The bench listed the matter on 3rd February 2023 and directed the suitable authority to place a report before the Court on the necessary decisions and actions taken on this matter.

While observing the increasing sexual harassment incidents against students in schools and colleges, the court made the remark and said that Boys should be taught that real men don’t bully women. It’s the weak men who dominate and harass women.”

Justice Ramachandran observed that a child should be taught by the family and as well as from the beginning of school that (S)he must respect the opposite gender. He further said that they should be taught that real men don’t bully women and not an expression of macho virtue, but its unmanly, and in fact, dominating and harassing women is a symbol of weak men and this message must ring loud and clear,” the judge added.

The judge further opined that our education system focuses more on academic results and employability instead of character building, and now “It is time to shift attention to value education so that our children grow up to be well-adjusted adults.”

The court observed, that children to be taught respect for the opposite gender by their families and schools from a young age and “Lessons in etiquette and good behavior must be part of the curriculum, and at least from the Primary Class level teachers must be encouraged to inspire virtues and values in students,”. “Boys must know that they should not touch a girl/woman without her obvious consent. They should understand ‘No’ means ‘No’.”

The court was hearing a petition filed by one Aaron S. John, who was accused of misbehaving with and groping women in TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and an inquiry was then initiated against John by the internal complaints committee (ICC) of the college, which found him guilty.

Accused Aaron S. John approached the High Court challenging the order issued by the ICC report and as well as the college principal suspending him for 18 months.