Students of University of Hyderabad have rejected a dress code mandated by the varsity administration for the convocation ceremony on October 1. In an email to students, the varsity’s Joint Registrar has asked men to wear kurta-pyjama or dhoti-kurta made of handloom cotton or silk and women to wear saree or salwar kameez. [related-post] “As per advisory of the Government of India to promote handloom/khadi cloth, the university has decided to do away with the gown system. Instead, the dress code shall be implemented,’’ it stated. The email also said the varsity shall provide an “angavastram” for Rs 200 to all students. Students, however, have protested against the dress code. “It is a Brahminical and patriarchial dress code imposed on the students,’’ Arpita Kanjilal, a student, said. Another student said the idea of “angavastram” has “outright religious connotations”. Registrar M Madhusudhan said the university was only trying to promote the use of handloom. “We will discuss the issue with the students and take a decision soon,’’ he said.
