after-hijab-mumbai-college-bans-jeans-t-shirts

Students at Acharya & Marathe College in Chembur were surprised on Monday when they were prevented from entering the college while wearing jeans and T-shirts. 

 

This was due to the college implementing a new dress code that prohibits jeans and T-shirts, following the dismissal of a plea by students challenging the previous dress code that banned hijab and other religious symbols. 

 

As per the notice titled "dress code and other rules" dated June 27, the college has prohibited torn jeans, T-shirts, revealing clothing, and jerseys.

 

The notice, signed by the college principal, Dr. Vidyagauri Lele, states, “Students should wear a 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 that shows religious or cultural disparity. Nakab, hijab, burkha, stole, cap, badge, etc. shall be removed by going to common rooms on the ground floor, and only then can they 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.”

 

However, according to the college, the administration is preparing them to be ready for the corporate world. 

 

The college principal, Dr. Lele, said, “We just want students to wear decent clothes. We have not brought in any uniforms, but we have asked them to wear formal Indian or Western clothes. After all, they will be expected to wear those once they are employed.”

 

Dr. Lele stated that the dress code was provided to students during admissions, and she does not understand why they are raising concerns about it now.

 

During the previous academic year, the college implemented uniforms for students in the junior college section. These uniforms prohibited the wearing of hijab and other religious identifiers. 

 

Students were required to remove their hijab or niqab at a specific location within the college after entering the premises. Nine students brought a case against the ban to the Bombay High Court. However, the High Court rejected their petition last month, as it stated that the broader academic interest did not infringe upon their rights.