Scottish Church College withdraws dress code advisory

The authorities of the Scottish Church College today revoked their dress code advisory which had asked girl students not to wear above knee-length skirts.

The students had strongly protested against the dress code directive.
"We do not want any drift with the students. They and their parents know what is the advisable dress," college rector John Abraham told reporters today.

A new dress code advisory put up today replacing the earlier advisory did not mention any specific clothes which the students cannot wear.

Bishop Ashok Biswas, who is part of the college council, said when the decision regarding the dress code was made, the students were present in the meeting.

"We bring out this dress code notice every year to inform the students. It was passed in the senate meeting where the students were also present. We have been doing this every year," he told PTI.

"The College recommends that students come to college in simple and unostentatious clothes suitable to an academic environment, taking into account India's rich culture, and the glorious heritage of this college, whose alumni include Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Manna De, to name only a few," the new notice says.

Asking students to wear clothes which reflects seriousness and importance of the learning environment, it says, "Students' attire is expected to be based on modesty, neatness, cleanliness and good taste on the campus."

The earlier dress code issued on Saturday had clearly specified that failure to comply with the dress codes may invite disciplinary action.

It had allowed only full length trousers, skirts well below knee length and without slits.
Boys were barred to wear round neck T-shirts, earrings or any studs on ear, chin and nose.

The students' union had opposed the dress code saying it was imposed upon them without taking them into consensus.

"It was an autocratic decision by the rector and now he has suddenly revoked it and that too on a Sunday night. We will protest against it," Sayak Banerjee, general secretary of the union, said.