'Colonial legacy': Union health ministry directs medical institutes to ditch black robes for convocation

The move aligns with the "Panch Pran" resolutions outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The union health ministry on August 23 directed all central government-run medical teaching institutes, including the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Institutes of National Importance (INIs), to design a new dress code for their convocation ceremonies.

The current practice of wearing the black robe and cap is a "colonial legacy", which needs to be changed, it said.

"...Currently, as a matter of practice black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various institutes of the ministry. This attire originated in the middle ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies," an official statement read.

"Accordingly it has been decided by the ministry that the various institutes of the ministry including AIIMS/INIs engaged in imparting medical education will design (an) appropriate India(n) dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute - based on local traditions of the state in which the institute is located," the communication stated.

The ministry asked them to submit proposals in this regard which will be approved by the Union health secretary.

It is observed that currently as a matter of practice black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various Institutes of the Ministry. This attire originated in the middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The above tradition is a pic.twitter.com/S2hBwsPGdh

ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024

The move aligns with the "Panch Pran" resolutions outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to focus on shedding colonial legacies and embracing Indian tradition.

In his 2022 Independence Day speech, PM Modi encouraged people to embrace "Panch Pran" or five resolutions for the next 25 years.

“The goal of developed India is to remove any trace of colonial mindset, take pride in our roots, unity and sense of duty among citizens,” Modi had said.