Salt Lake: Boarders at the Presidency University girls' hostel in Salt Lake on Friday complained of "gender harassment" after being allegedly barred from stepping out for two days because the authorities feared for their safety during Holi revelry outside.

"I don't see any meaning behind these restrictions. We are adults and can take care of ourselves," said Bhumisuta Banerjee, a third-year undergraduate student.

The hostel adjoins the BF Block playground, which hosts a Holi event. The boarders alleged that the hostel gate was locked from inside by the guards under instructions from dean Arun Maity.

"Those of us who wanted to go home, we were asked to contact our guardians and get them to speak to the guards. This is an act of overreaction that amounts to gender harassment," said Mandira Mahali, a first-year student.

Some boarders gave vent on social media. "It is against the principles of gender equality that Presidency and its students stand for," said Srimati Ghoshal, a postgraduate student. Dean of students Maity said safety of the boarders took precedence over everything. "We have restrictions in place every year. We just wanted to ensure the safety of the girls. What if something happened to them after they ventured out?"