In a setback for several students in the national Capital, the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), which is affiliated to the Indraprastha University, has issued a circular banning “short and sleeveless dresses” and “public display of affection,” including hugging or holding hands on campus.
The college has issued a stern circular, which also warns students of getting expelled if found going against the order. However, students have not taken the news too kindly and are unhappy with the order saying it curbs their freedom.
The circular, a copy of which is all over social media and drawing titters, states clearly that “short pants and short dresses are barred on campus except for special functions. Wearing of sleeveless dresses is barred on campus. Public display of affection, hugging or holding female/male students or any kind of unhealthy behaviour or exhibition of affection, etc is strictly prohibited on campus. At the first instance, warning will be issued... Repeated breaches will result in suspension and worse, dismissal of students.” However, a senior college official has said that she was not aware of the issuance of any such circular.
Incidentally, the chairman of the Pitampura-based college is a BJP leader and former legislator SC Vats. He was in the news last month when a teacher of the same college registered an FIR against him for allegedly sexually assaulting her. Students have expressed strong criticism of the move and questioned the drawing up of such draconian guidelines.
A student said, “It isn’t appropriate for an institution creating future lawyers and journalists to be issuing guidelines defining standards of ‘decency’. Use of statements like ‘displaying public affection is unhealthy behaviour’ is equally unhealthy.” Another student said, “If any student is indulging in any inappropriate behaviour, the college authorities have the right to warn him or penalise him/her. But does wearing a sleeveless dress constitute ‘inappropriate behaviour’ and warrant dismissalIJ”
However, Dr Charu lata, director of the college’s Mass Communications Department, said she had not seen any such notice. “I have not seen any such notice,” she said. Vats was not immediately available for comment. The college offers courses in law, Journalism and Information Technology to over 3,000 students.