It disheartening that during the times, when women have helped the country to reach Moon; some regressive people in our society still debating about the length of clothes that women are wearing.
In a bizarre decision, St Francis College for Women at Hyderabad has come up with a new dress code for its students.
As per India Today, students have been ordered to wear Kurtis below knee length with sleeves. Additionally, the institute has banned shorts, sleeveless and other similar dresses.
Isn’t it absurd that even in the 21st century our educational institutes, who need to promote empowerment among women, are debating on the length of Kurtis that they are wearing?
Sadly, many students were not even allowed to attend the classes because their clothes weren’t ‘sanskaari’ enough for college administration.
Former alumni Zanobia Tumbi shared on facebook how student representatives were apparently told that ‘a long Kurti would get us good marriage proposals.
She further added how the young students were constantly humiliated for wearing Kurti ‘just an inch or less above the knee.
They were told to stand outside and lose out on precious studies and tests. Many students came forward to raise their voices against this rudimentary thought process. One of the students shared:
“At a time when we are talking about women empowerment, such a diktat is against the entire campaign.”
This absurd new rule came into effect on August 1.
A group of students also took a video of the rule in action so that the others could come forward and support them in raising voices against such a backward thought process.
According to sources, those wearing kurtis ending even an inch above the knee aren’t being allowed to enter the college premises. So much so that the college has hired female security guards to check their clothing one by one and allow only those wearing long kurtas to enter college.
The issue has sparked massive outrage online where netizens are calling out the dress code ridiculous and downright offensive.
Though the students are planning a protest against the new rule, we wonder how we can expect our country to produce strong & empowered women if our institutes are so regressive and backward.
