This Hyderabad Girls College Wants Students To Wear Kurtis Of A Certain Length. The Students Are Protesting And We Are With Them

This Hyderabad Girls College Wants Students To Wear Kurtis Of A Certain Length. The Students Are Protesting And We Are With Them

In what can only be described as the least fabulous (actually pretty rubbish) “fashion police” moment…an all-girls college in Hyderabad has managed to out-dumb every “judgy aunty” out there with the latest scandal. In multiple posts shared by students of the St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, we were shown how these young women were barred from entering the college..and it wasn’t because of their merit or anything. It was based on the length of their kurtis. The college had security placed at the front gate, where the students can be seen being picked on from the crowd to either enter or be sent home. We can also see the students arguing with the college officials and whole thing is infuriating.

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Reportedly, according to a new rule put in place by the college, students have to keep their kurtis below knee length. They also need to wear kurtis with sleeves. Sleeveless, shorts and similar clothing are banned on the campus. The rule came into effect from August 1 and was deemed as a requirement for the girls to abide by. Also, students were not allowed to attend their classes, as their outfits were not per ‘guidelines,’ the circular for which was passed in July. College educated women in the country are well aware of dress codes applied in some campuses, especially Catholic ones. But this particular instance is taking it too far. Why should women be stopped for getting their due education because of the length of their kurtis?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2dPjISA7_c/

Understandably, the women of this college feel disgusted for being judged for the choice of their clothes. This, in addition to the college staff saying, “a long kurti would get us good marriage proposals”, according to a student. “They went ahead and pulled girls by their id cards and even pulled their kurtis,”, said one student and it is indeed a disgusting show of discrimination against women.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2dquIgloNo/

The students have, understandably, decided to protest against the archaic dress code of the college, cutting class like the best kind of rebel. The story has also gained traction among celebrities, like Sonam Kapoor, who have spoken up on the issue and demanded an apology from the college officials. We stand by these women in their march for de-facing such sexism, moral policing and downright invasion of a woman’s identity.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ds-hRHNtr/

India is one of the few countries that still imposes a dress code in colleges. These restrictive rules usually imply to women specifically, with the boys being given a pass for their clothes. Regardless of the city, sprawling metropolitan or otherwise, colleges with dress codes have been around forever. But with instances like such, it makes us wonder, who do these rules help at all? As someone who went to college before social media became a form of activism, I love the fact that this generation of college going women are raising their voice.

We stand with these women and we are proud!

Sumona Bose

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