St Francis College wilts under students' pressure, drops 'kurti' length norm

Hyderabad: Continuing stir against new rule for dress code, around 1,000 students of the St Francis College for Women, Begumpet protested in front of the college on Monday. The protest went on till afternoon until the principal Sister Sandra Horta relented and assured to drop it.

The new rule imposed in the month of August said students have to wear kurtis below knee length or they will not be allowed inside the college.

The fallout happened when on Saturday, the students were made to stand outside the gate and allowed them to attend the classes only after checking each girl's kurti length.

Many students were sent away when they were found to wear kurti even a few inches lesser than the mandate.

Students had earlier revealed on their social media posts that while there is no such rule mentioned in the prospectus, the principal of the prestigious college is believed to have indicated that the new rule was imposed because 'thighs attract boys' and that long kurtis will get them 'good marriage proposals'.

The students found the rule and the comments demeaning, and the Saturday incident flared up the issue. The protest that lasted for more than four hours in front of college ended with cheer as the principal had to budge before the protesting students.

She announced that the new rule will be dropped, and the college will henceforth follow guidelines that are in the rule book.