This is an archive article published on July 1, 2024
After hijab, now Mumbai college bans jeans, T-shirt
According to the notice by the Acharya & Marathe College in Chembur, titled "dress code and other rules" dated June 27, torn-jeans, T-shirts, revealing dresses and jerseys are not allowed.
On Monday, students of Acharya & Marathe College in Chembur sporting jeans and T-shirt were in for a rude shock as they were stopped from entering the college.
Reason? The college issued a new dress code banning jeans and T-shirt, days after the Bombay High Court dismissed a plea filed by students of the college, challenging the institute’s dress code banning hijaband other religious identifiers that it issued last year.
According to the notice by the college titled “dress code and other rules” dated June 27, torn-jeans, T-shirts, revealing dresses and jerseys are not allowed.
The notice, signed by Principal of the college Dr. Vidyagauri Lele, states, “Students should wear formal and decent dress while on campus. They can wear a half-shirt or full-shirt and trousers. Girls can wear any Indian or western outfit. Students shall not wear any dress which shows religion or cultural disparity. Nakab, hijab, burkha, stole, cap, badge etc shall be removed by going to common rooms on the ground floor and then only they can move throughout the college campus.”
Ateeque Khan from Govandi Citizens Association, who was approached by many students, said, “Last year they banned hijab. This year they have banned jeans and t-shirts which are very commonly worn by not only college-going youngsters but by all irrespective of religion and gender. We do not understand what they are trying to impose on the students by bringing such impractical dress-codes.”
However, according to the college, the administration is preparing them to be ready for the corporate world. Principal of the College Dr. Lele said, “We just want students to wear decent clothes. We have not brought in any uniform, but have asked them to wear formal Indian or western clothes. After all, they will be expected to wear those once they are employed.”
Dr. Lele said the dress code was informed to students at the time of admissions and she cannot fathom why they should raise concerns about it now. “Out of 365 days of the year, students hardly have to be in college for 120-130 days. What problem should they have to adhere to a dress code for these days?” she said adding that it was multiple instances of indecent behavior on campus by students which led the administration to bring out the new dress code.
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In the last academic session, the college introduced uniforms for students from the junior college section, which banned hijab among other religious identifiers. Students were asked to remove hijab or niqab at a designated place in college after entering the gate. Nine students had moved the Bombay High Court against the ban. But their plea was dismissed by the HC last month stating that larger academic interest doesn’t violate rights.
Earlier in May, the Chembur college was under the scanner for issuing a dress-code for students from its degree college section too. According to students, while the dress code in May stipulates that burkha, niqab, hijab, or any religious identifiers such as badges, caps, or stoles will not be permitted inside the college, the new code declared on June 27 banned jeans and t-shirt too.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
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