Dress code diktats: NCW seeks probe, UP Muslims cry attack on faith
Bijnor: A regressive and strange diktat has ruffled feathers in Uttar Pradesh. Women students in Bijnor have been barred from wearing black clothing and jeans at a function to be presided by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Reports say women have also been barred from wearing jeans and using mobile phones.
The order has now been withdrawn but the minority community, which says that it is an attack on their faith, is still unhappy over the initial decision. Given that most of the girls are muslims, the order effectively bans them from wearing the burqa. "Banning black clothes is essentially a ban on burqas," a local cleric said.
Girl students have expressed displeasure over the diktat. "DM's order to not wear black burqa is unfair. I never move out of my house without wearing burqa and gloves but now I have been asked not to wear burqa," said another student.
The Samajwadi Party, which heavily relies on the minority vote bank is now trying to distance itself from the controversy. "The government never issued a statement like this," said a Samajwadi Party leader.
The district magistrate has denied forcing it upon anybody. "There is no such ban. We have just asked them to wear sober clothes. Our directive to the girls is being misinterpreted. No one has been forced to do anything," District Magistrate Sarika Mohan said.
Meanwhile in Bhiwani, Haryana, a women's college has banned jeans and tops as they believe wearing such clothes invites more cases of harassment. "Such clothes invite unwanted attention that is why we have banned these clothes in the college premises," said principle of the college Alaka Sharma. A teacher from the college said wearing such clothes is not part of the culture and that girls should stay in their limits.
The National Commission for Women for its part has now asked for action against the college.
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