College Dress Code Controversy Sparks Debate

A city-based college enforces a strict dress code, including a ban on hijabs, torn jeans, and revealing clothes. The notice mandates formal attire for students and has drawn attention following the Bombay High Court's support of the college's policy. Students and officials express their views on the issue.

A city-based college, notorious for banning hijabs, has expanded its dress code to prohibit torn jeans, T-shirts, revealing dresses, and clothing revealing religious or cultural disparities.

According to a June 27 notice by The Chembur Trombay Education Society's N G Acharya and D K Marathe College, students must wear formal attire on campus.

The directive was issued after the Bombay High Court on June 26 upheld the college's right to enforce the ban, rejecting claims that it violates students' fundamental rights.

"Students shall not wear any dress revealing religion or cultural disparity. Hijab, burka, and similar items must be removed in common rooms before accessing the campus," stated the notice.

The college, situated in Chembur, enrolls many Muslim students from nearby areas like Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, and Mankhurd.

The notice also enforces a 75 percent attendance requirement and emphasizes discipline. College officials clarified that there were no new directives, attributing the guidelines to an earlier circular.

"The notice reaffirms existing rules on wearing revealing clothes. We don't mandate sarees or specific colors," said Subodh Acharya, general secretary of the college governing council.

Principal Vidyagauri Lele explained that students could change out of hijabs or burkas in the college common room. A recent directive challenging the dress code was dismissed by the high court, which maintained that such a code supports the college's right to establish and administer an educational institution.

The dress code applies regardless of religion or caste, the court affirmed, dismissing a petition from nine female students opposing the ban.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)