A Mumbai college has sparked controversy by introducing a new dress code that bans ripped jeans, T-shirts, and revealing clothing. The Acharya Marathe College in Chembur, Mumbai, implemented the new rules on Monday, barring students from entering the campus if they were not dressed according to the regulations. The college’s decision comes just days after the Bombay High Court dismissed a plea against the institution’s hijab ban, raising concerns about the increasing restrictions on students’ attire and religious freedom.
The new dress code, outlined in a college notice dated June 27, states that students must wear formal and decent clothing, specifying that torn jeans, T-shirts, revealing dresses, and jerseys are not allowed. Students are allowed to wear half-shirts or full-shirts and trousers, while girls have the option of wearing any Indian or western outfit. However, the notice explicitly prohibits any clothing that displays religious or cultural disparity, including naqab, hijab, burkha, stole, cap, and badges. Students are required to remove these items before entering the college campus.
The college principal, Dr. Vidyagauri Lele, explained to the Indian Express that the dress code aims to ‘prepare students to be ready for the corporate world’. She argued that the restrictions are necessary to maintain a professional environment and that students only spend a limited amount of time on campus.
This new dress code follows the previous academic session’s implementation of uniforms for junior college students, which included a prohibition on hijabs and other religious symbols. The college’s decision to enforce this dress code despite the Bombay High Court dismissing a plea against it has ignited debate about the balance between maintaining academic standards and respecting students’ individual freedoms. Critics argue that these restrictions on clothing choice are unnecessary and infringe on students’ rights to express themselves and their beliefs. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between traditional values and individual liberties within educational institutions in India.
