Mumbai's medical college students protest against 'No Short Skirt' rule
What's the story
Recently, students of Mumbai's J J Hospital's Grant Medical College launched a protest against college authorities, after the female students were allegedly asked to sit away from men during events and not to wear short skirts. In order to protest against the regressive order, the girls covered their faces and wore ankle-length clothes. The instructions came after a Holi event on March 21.
Protest
"Why should everyone be punished for some unruly students' actions"
According to reports, the state-run college's authorities saw ruckus and "wild scenes" by some youths at the Holi event and as a result, the order was issued. Students, on their part, said, "We condemn this decision of the college administration. It unnecessarily encroaches on our right to dress the way we want. Why should everyone be punished for the actions of some unruly students?"
Quote
Students upset over the diktat, protest against authorities
The students protesting against the diktat further said, "The instructions were issued by Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale and Warden Shilpa Patil. They said women must not wear short skirts, should sit apart from men at events and return to their hostels before 10 pm."
Response
Will hear grudge or objections of students, says Dean
According to one student, detailed instructions were shared over Facebook and WhatsApp by the college authorities. Chandanwale, responding to the allegations, said "The expectation from female students is that they dress appropriately. This alone was my message to the students. There was some chaos during Holi. If there is any grudge or objection, we will hear the students out."
Movement
Moral policing not new, seen in colleges in Delhi, UP
Meanwhile, this is not the first time that students are protesting against moral policing by college authorities. A couple of years back, many students came together to join the 'Pinjra Tod' movement, which fights against the regressive hostel rules for female students. Separately, on several occasions, authorities of some of the colleges in Uttar Pradesh asked girl students not to wear jeans.