Hyderabad: Students along with alumnae of St Francis College for Women in Hyderabad on Monday held a protest against the dress code diktat imposed by the institute, which disallowed students from wearing kurtis 'above' knee-length, shorts, and sleeveless dresses.
The issue first came to light after a video went viral on social media, where staff were seen checking the students' attire at the college gate.
A woman staff member was seen inspecting the students, allowing only those girls to enter the campus who were wearing the prescribed 'below-the-knee' kurtis.
According to reports, the college banned students from wearing Kurtis 'below-knee-length' earlier in August this year.
At the protest today, scores of students were seen raising slogans, protesting outside the campus gate with placards in their hands.
The students wanted the Principal to come out and openly address them on the issue, which they claim she has not till now.
"When we asked for a reason for the dress code, we were given an unsatisfactory reply. We were told that the dress code is in place so that students could get 'good marriage proposals' and also because we must not 'expose' our thighs," said a student.
"Making us stand outside the gate, and disrespecting us for our clothes...this is harassment," said another student.
"Not only our daily attire, even during sports events, students are not allowed to wear proper sports gear. Being women themselves, our faculty members are insulting the students," said an alumna of the college.
"While the world is moving ahead, they are still stuck on kurtis. Are we coming here to study or for our kurtis, I do not understand. Give us proper education and proper faculty first," she added.
Located in the city's Begumpet area, St Francis College for Women is one of Hyderabad's oldest educational institutes, and also among the most reputed.
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