Page 18 - EW may 2026

Education News

DELHI of higher education. Several higher
Infantilisation pushback education institutions (HEIs) impose

arbitrary dress codes, especially
for women students, seat male and
female students separately and
penalise campus romance. They
seem oblivious that tertiary students
are adults qualified to vote in or
out the Central and state govern-
ments. Moreover in recent times,
severe conditions are imposed upon
students’ union and/or societies
inviting ‘controversial’ public figures
to address them or “engage in poli-
tics”. There seems to be declining
awareness that in democracies, HEI
campuses are the training ground
for public life and public institutions
such as Parliament and state legisla-
tive assemblies.
For instance in Christ Univer-
Christ University students: strict dress code sity, Bengaluru, ranked among the
country’s Top 10 universities in the
n a landmark verdict delivered grievance redressal mechanisms in EW 2026-27 league table of private
late last year that hasn’t received higher education, culminating in last multidisciplinary universities, a
Isufficient attention in academia, year’s judgement revising attendance strict dress code is imposed by the
the Delhi high court — acting on norms. In its ruling, a division bench Reverend Fathers of the Carmelites
directions from the Supreme Court of the high court (Prathiba Singh of Mary Immaculate order. Students
of India — struck a decisive blow and Amit Sharma JJ presiding) did are required to dress formally and
against pervasive infantilisation more than relax attendance rules. “decently” at all times on campus.
of Indian higher education. In the It questioned deeply entrenched For men, casual wear such as jeans
tragic Sushant Rohilla Case, it has paternalism within colleges/univer- or low-waist pants is discouraged or
ruled that less than prescribed hours sities that shepherd adult students in prohibited, and for women salwar-
of classroom attendance cannot bar higher education capable of making kameez with dupatta or formal attire
students from writing examinations. informed academic choices no differ- is mandatory with clothing consid-
The narrative behind this land- ently than errant schoolchildren. ered “tight, sleeveless, transpar-
mark judgement is that Sushant In this particular case, it’s per- ent or revealing” proscribed as are
Rohilla, a student of the five-year tinent to note that the minimum arbitrarily adjudged flashy hairstyles,
B.A.LL.B. programme at Amity Law classroom lectures attendance norms visible tattoos, and body piercings.
School, Noida, died by suicide on Au- were not prescribed by Amity Law Students who violate these subjec-
gust 10, 2016, after being prevented School, but by the Bar Council of tive dress codes are denied entry to
from writing an examination due to India, which mandates a 70 percent classes and campus activities.
shortage of mandatory attendance, attendance threshold effectively In this connection, it’s noteworthy
and consequent anguish and dis- equating physical presence with that new genre post-liberalisation
tress. This tragedy came to national learning. The court questioned this private universities are disposed to
attention when a friend filed a PIL assumption permitting students to treat their students as responsible
(public interest litigation) writ in the write examinations regardless of adults capable of making their own
Supreme Court, which transferred violation of attendance rules (al- lifestyle decisions. While absence
the matter to the Delhi high court in lowing only marginal penalties). In from classes may be queried, it is
2017. effect, the judiciary has signalled that rarely punitive and women students
Over the next eight years, the high learning outcomes, rather than at- in shorts and western wear are
court expanded the inquiry beyond tending classes, should define higher ubiquitous, with men free to dress
this tragedy to examine systemic is- education. according to their preferred life-
sues including rigid attendance rules, At its core, this ruling is a repu- styles — personal freedoms denied
students’ mental health, and weak diation of pervasive infantilisation to students in most government and

18 EDUCATIONWORLD MAY 2026