Students of St Francis College in Hyderabad were punished on Friday and not allowed to enter college premises because their Kurti was an inch above their knees. Security staff maintained a vigil at the gates and only those with the requisite Kurti length were permitted inside.
“Things have gotten worse as we are being humiliated by the security guards for wearing kurtis that end less than an inch above the knee,” said a student, told Deccan Chronicle on the condition of anonymity. “We are made to stand outside college, missing classes and tests.”
“This college talks about women’s empowerment but it is merely lip service,” another student is reported to have said. “When we questioned the code, they said a short dress invites men. This is ridiculous. We get good matches only if we wear proper attire.”
Students have further alleged that teachers often make the girls stand up in class and check the lengths of their Kurtis before giving them attendance for the particular lecture. “The first three days they allowed us to go in. They just shouted at us saying ‘what is this’, chased us and pulled us back, but they didn’t stop us from going in. But on Friday, they started to stop because apparently they had given a warning,” a student told The News Minute.
“People are getting angrier by the minute. We didn’t want anyone to touch us. Now, the management is okay with these people behaving with us the way they are. And they believe it’s okay because it’s a woman and not a male security guard, so they can do that,” the student further alleged.
The dictat was issued in July. According to it, students were ordered to wear Kurtis below their knees while shorts, sleeveless or other similar dresses were banned in the campus. The order came into effect on the first of August. A protest has been called by the students on Monday. They have apparently told the Principal that it’s not possible for everyone to change their entire wardrobe.