PANAJI
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) strongly opposes the enforcement of a compulsory uniforms policy in colleges, calling for its immediate withdrawal.
NSUI Goa President Naushad Chowdhari told the media that while uniformity is often cited as a means to promote equality, their organization believes such policies disregard the fundamental rights of college students, suppress individuality and undermine India's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
“Whether it is the hijab or traditional Hindu attire, students must be free to choose clothing that aligns with their beliefs, within reasonable guidelines for modesty and decorum. College students are adults capable of making responsible decisions and forcing them into a uniform dress code is infringing on their autonomy,” he said.
Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the decision, Chowdhari explained that debates around dress codes distract the primary purpose of educational institutions to foster knowledge, skills and critical thinking.
“We demand withdrawal of the policy, adopting a flexible dress code that respects the cultural, religious, and personal preferences of students; and to reaffirm constitutional values in all institutional policies,” he added.
The Directorate of Higher Education had last June issued a circular asking all govt and govt-aided colleges to implement uniforms for students from the academic year 2024-25, in a bid to bridge the gap in socio-economic disparities among students.
