DC Debate: Pros and cons of Hyderabad Central University’s dress code for convocations

A debate is currently on over the use of handloom fabrics for ceremonial dresses marking special occasions like convocation ceremonies. While this is cited as part of a strategy for revival of the handloom industry, how would the students take it?

Institutions of higher learning are supposed to develop critical consciousness through debates and discussions. But initiatives such as this should not mar the true spirit of convocation. Nor is this the ideal way to promote handloom as far as it restricts students’ preferences for dresses on special occasions.

If the idea is to respond positively to the call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a fillip to the handloom industry in the country, there are umpteen ways to do so and help improve the earnings of handloom weavers. Their plight needs to be addressed, but this is certainly not the way.

Convocation is a rare opportunity in the life of students, wherein they feel proud. The colourful robes and flying caps instill in them the confidence to take the tough journey of life and the career ahead in a joyous manner.

Definitely, a change of fabric will not affect the pleasure of attending a convocation. But the manner in which the debate on handloom as the fabric for convocation’s ceremonial robes has come up is bound to mar the essence of convocation, the environment of higher educational institutions, and also the long-term interests of the handloom industry.

Coercion is not the way forward, and chances are that such actions would lead to a dislike of something that is sought to be foisted on the youths.

Let us not put the passion for handloom industry in an adversarial frame with students and youths. That would be counter-productive.

As it turns out, this is an unfortunate moment in the life of academic institutions, as the authorities and students find themselves at loggerheads on the issue of the fabric for the convocation robes in one of the premier universities of this country.

While the university authorities are giving clarifications on the purchase of dress from any shop/place of their choice, it is also rumoured that there are prescriptions not simply for ceremonial robes but also for the compete dress that students are supposed to wear.

If so, the university must clarify what is a dress, and what is a ceremonial robe?

And then, taking this debate along the gradients of nationalism, pride of India, and Indian culture is simply self-defeating.

This is something that pains me as an academician — as to what we are making of our universities and how the text and texture of debates and discussions in universities are changing not for the good but to the worst.

Lastly, if anything is desperately needed for the handloom industry, it is the government’s proactive role in terms of raw material supply, machinery and marketing for this industry.

Handloom industry has for long been the victim of the government’s apathy and an invasive market. Let the concerned instruments of government make Khadi and handlooms viable in the market and affordable to the common man.

This gesture promotes Indian culture and heritage. It also supports the people surviving on the cotton and handloom industry. The advantages of handloom are well-known. The freedom movement had adopted Khadi as an essential tool for integration of people.

It is high time we promote the use of handlooms at least once in a week, right from the school level to universities, so as to strengthen cottage industries and support the cause of cotton growers.

The system of using black gowns was introduced by the British for convocation ceremony.

We should congratulate the Centre for taking a bold step to discontinue the dress code introduced by the British and instead encourage Khadi dress for convocations.

Those who are against the development of our rural economy may oppose the idea, but their views may be ignored in the larger interests of India.

It is astonishing that there had been no major protests by people and even the student community against the continued use of black robe, a relic of the British era. But, strangely, now, the very idea of introduction of handloom fabrics as part of the convocation dress code is being opposed.

Wearing of kurta-pyajama by men or salwar-kameez by women at convocation ceremony is not going to hurt the spirit of convocation or the celebrations therein in any way.

I have been talking openly against the lack of convocation ceremony in state universities.

I understand its value for students who toil hard for two years to get their postgraduate degree.

At the same time, I believe that wearing traditional attire as prescribed by University of Hyderabad for its convocation ceremony will in no manner dampen the spirit of convocation.

The move by the Centre is welcome also because it will infuse a sense of belonging towards the traditional attire among the youths, many of whom now ignore it as being unfashionable or even as ‘rustic’.

Also, what better way to promote handloom in the country than promoting it among the youth?

It will be a delight to see young guns graduating from the university wearing the traditional attire rather than presenting themselves in black robes. The government is not interfering with anyone’s personal choice as regards clothing. It is merely changing the dress code from what is not Indian, to something which can be clearly Indian.

Students and others opposed to the traditional attire as being the dress code for convocations should think twice before opposing it on ethereal premises. Clearly, it would appear that they are doing so just for the sake of raking up a controversy. National interests are supreme and we must do our best to protect and promote them. Students have a major role to play in this.