St Xavier's College in Mumbai issued a circular earlier this week banning all students from wearing ripped jeans in the college premises. Students who were seen wearing the ripped jeans were stopped at the college gate by the security.
Agnelo Menezes, the principal of the college, said that seeing students wearing ripped jeans was embarassing as it seems "students are mocking the clothes that the poor are forced to wear." He added that "as a Jesuit institution, we cannot allow it."
"The jeans are ripped all over. It is embarrassing to see children on campus in such tattered clothes. We have just put up the dress code on our circular board. Not a single student has objected to it... In the name of fashion, students are mocking the clothes that the poor are forced to wear. As a Jesuit institution, we cannot allow it," Menezes said, adding that a dress code has always been a part of the institution's rules and regulations.
"After observing a few students wearing such clothes, the college took this decision. Those who wore such jeans were asked to go home; it was embarrassing... We already do not allow short clothes and sleeveless on campus, ripped pants have now been added to the list... This dress is a mockery of the poor, who have to wear torn clothes because they have no option. It (such torn clothes) is their regular dress," Menezes further added.
The ban has not gone down well with the students of the reputed college and other neighbouring colleges who have slammed the new dress code calling it a "draconian law."
"We understand if the institute is against wearing shorts and skirts to college, but how can it have a problem with ripped jeans? The jeans are only torn at the knees," a student posted on a social networking website.
A BMM student told Mid-Day: "Why would the college need such a rule? Ensuring that students' dresses don't become vulgar is one thing, but completely putting a ban on wearing something is absolutely unreasonable."
"The rule has just been announced and it's already being implemented very strictly. Students are not being allowed to enter if they are wearing ripped jeans. This is an attack on our personal space. What we want to wear is our decision. Why should the college interfere?" another BA student said.
Another psychology student said, "Even the Mumbai University does not have any such rule!... Now that the college has got autonomy, it can take its own decisions, but is this what the administration is going to focus on? It was completely unexpected coming from a South Mumbai college."
