Boys and girls are not allowed to sit next to each other on a bench in Kerala, India. Source: based on many media outlets, including Opindia. It reminds me of the pertinacious, ultra-Orthodox rules in Israel that are so familiar to me…

There were many incidents of moral policing in the past weeks. Boys and girls who tried to sit close to each other on the benches while waiting for their home bound bus were attacked. Likewise, to stop boys and girls sitting together, benches were cut off. Enraged students shared pictures of the male and female students, sitting on each other’s laps.

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) stated that the public must be made aware that every child is an individual with the right to mental and physical growth. If needed, the students will be supported legally.

Source: Opindia.