Nation

Girl power prevails! Hyderabad college rolls back ‘knee-length kurtis only’ rule after students protest

A new rule imposed in August 2019 asked all students to wear kurtis below knee length or they would be barred from entering campus.
“Come out, sister,” chanted over 200 students of the St Francis College for Women, Begumpet, at the college gates on Monday. After having gone unheard for weeks, they decided to gather at 8.30 am on Monday to protest against the ‘knee-length Kurtis only’
“Come out, sister,” chanted over 200 students of the St Francis College for Women, Begumpet, at the college gates on Monday. After having gone unheard for weeks, they decided to gather at 8.30 am on Monday to protest against the ‘knee-length Kurtis only’
Express News Service
Updated on: 
1 min read
On August 1, the college had sent out a circular to the students stating that only Kurtis that were long enough to cover their knees were deemed appropriate on the college premises. While this wasn’t received well by the students, it was looked past until recently, when a video of female security personnel — appointed a week ago — tugging at a student’s kurti and yanking her to ‘check’ her clothes surfaced. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
On August 1, the college had sent out a circular to the students stating that only Kurtis that were long enough to cover their knees were deemed appropriate on the college premises. While this wasn’t received well by the students, it was looked past until recently, when a video of female security personnel — appointed a week ago — tugging at a student’s kurti and yanking her to ‘check’ her clothes surfaced. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Students tried to reason with the principal, Sister Sandra, but to no avail. This forced them to plan the said protest, coordinated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Students tried to reason with the principal, Sister Sandra, but to no avail. This forced them to plan the said protest, coordinated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
The circular that passed this rule mentioned that wearing kurtis that aren’t knee-length would distract their 20-member male staff. It also stated that those who wear long kurtis are more likely to get marriage proposals. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
The circular that passed this rule mentioned that wearing kurtis that aren’t knee-length would distract their 20-member male staff. It also stated that those who wear long kurtis are more likely to get marriage proposals. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Shreya Vishwani, a third-year Mass Communication student shared, “We understand that the college needs to maintain decorum as an educational institution, which is why we settled for the earlier dress code. However, this is a big win for us, students.” (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Shreya Vishwani, a third-year Mass Communication student shared, “We understand that the college needs to maintain decorum as an educational institution, which is why we settled for the earlier dress code. However, this is a big win for us, students.” (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Four hours after the protest, a message was sent through a final year student stating that the dress code would stay as earlier — no crop tops, cold shoulders or sleeveless tops — and that the ‘knee-length kurti only’ rule was revoked. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Four hours after the protest, a message was sent through a final year student stating that the dress code would stay as earlier — no crop tops, cold shoulders or sleeveless tops — and that the ‘knee-length kurti only’ rule was revoked. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
“I am certain that as the day progressed, the protest gained heat and the management had to take a call in our favour,” a student said. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
“I am certain that as the day progressed, the protest gained heat and the management had to take a call in our favour,” a student said. (Photo | RVK Rao, EPS)
Protests
gender equality
sexism
Girl Students
Students Protest
dress code
Gender discrimination
St Francis College for Women
Hyderabad college

Related Stories

No stories found.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com