IIT-Kharagpur’s clarification after row over convocation dress code

IIT-Kharagpur has said it is not mandatory for students to follow the convocation dress code

The clarification comes after the dress code sparked a row among students, faculty and alumni.

The guidelines issued last week stated that male students should wear a full-sleeved, knee-length, plain, solid white kurta for the convocation ceremony. The kurta should have a band collar (mandarin collar), and a straight hem. It should be paired with a white vest as an undershirt and white fitted cotton churidaar or pyjamas.

Female students, on the other hand, should wear a plain, solid white cotton saree with a plain, narrow golden zari border and plain pallu. “Saree should be worn in the Parsi style, with pleated pallu,” the guidelines said.

The Indian Institute of Tantra-mantralogy has a dress-code for convocation. And now one wonders why IITs are declining in prestige. pic.twitter.com/F3CQEvPCNC

— saliltripathi (@saliltripathi) November 5, 2023

The guidelines also specified what kind of footwear and accessories the graduating batch of IIT-Kharagpur could wear for their convocation.

According to a Times of India report, the strict dress code sparked a row, with a section of the student body saying it curbed their “personal freedom and choice.”

A source also told the publication that several students, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, decided to boycott the convocation in protest.

“Last year, the students had to wear white or off-white kurta-pyjama or saree for the convocation. But this year, the specifications are more elaborate, which has caused trouble for many,” said an IIT-KGP researcher on the condition of anonymity.

In a statement issued on Monday, IIT-Kharagpur said the dress code is not mandatory to follow. Students can wear whatever they want so long as it conforms to the normal code of conduct befitting the occasion.

“The mail that was issued to the students regarding the convocation attire was mentioned explicitly due to the theme of the 69th Convocation. It is just a guideline for the students so that it becomes easier for them to comprehend and look the part on their special day…and does not fall under mandatory requisites,” IIT-Kharagpur clarified.