Mumbai college now bans jeans, T-shirt after hijab
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Representational.
Mumbai: Students from Acharya & Marathe College in Chembur who were wearing jeans and T-shirts on Monday were rudely shocked when they were barred from accessing the campus. Why? A few days after the Bombay High Court rejected a challenge from college students contesting the institution's previous year-old dress code that banned the hijab and other religious symbols, the college announced a new dress code that banned jeans and T-shirts, Indian Express reported.
The notification from the college labelled "dress code and other rules" from June 27 states that jerseys, exposing dresses, T-shirts, and damaged jeans are not permitted.
The notice, which is signed by Dr Vidyagauri Lele, the college principal, 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 the 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.”
Nonetheless, the college claims that the administration is getting them 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.”
According to Dr Lele, students were notified about the dress code at the time of admission, so she doesn't see why they would be concerned 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 the administration's decision to implement the new clothing code was prompted by numerous incidents of indecent behaviour on campus.
The college forbade hijab and other religious identifiers when it implemented uniforms for junior college students during the last academic session. Upon approaching the college gate, students were instructed to take off their hijab or niqab at a specified location. The restriction was challenged in court by nine students at the Bombay High Court. However, the HC this month rejected their appeal, concluding that broader academic interests do not violate rights.
The Chembur College faced criticism earlier in May for enforcing a dress code that also applied to students enrolled in its degree college department. Students claim that although the May dress code forbade the wearing of burkhas, niqabs, hijabs, or other religious symbols like stoles, caps, or badges within the campus, the June 27 update also forbade jeans and t-shirts.