Sorrow-rity of rules

At the start of the academic year in colleges, students have to face strict rules and regulations imposed on them. Most of the colleges in Bengaluru are coming up with bizarre rules that leaves them with no other option but to be a bit perplexed, but abide. Anirban Das, a postgraduate student says, “Boys are not supposed to wear round neck t-shirts, they should wear only shirts. Girls are not allowed to wear jeans and should come wearing a kurti which I feel is illogical as we are all grown-ups and we should have the liberty to wear the clothes of our choice. If you want to take a leave, we need to inform the dean via an email and if you take a leave without informing you will be fined.”

Though most of the colleges in the city are co-ed, it comes as a surprise that boys and girls can’t use the same lift, or phones are confiscates if used at the college campus, and so on. Well, the list is endless and in some ways, it can hamper a student’s mindset. Ankita Dawn, psychologist of Mind Matters Clinic believes that such rules are detrimental. “It can create a nuisance for a fresher. At school, we are bound by rules which is totally acceptable and after passing out from school, students don’t want these kind of restrictions in colleges. It should be a choice of the student. And of course, decorum should be maintained,” she says.  

She further adds, “It can lead to stress and the student might not want to  go to college due to the strict enforcement of regulations. If there are too many restrictions added to the intense academic pressure, it can lead to depression. And not only depression, students unwilling to comply with the rules might have angry outbursts.” Sumita Kumar, department of business studies, Mount Carmel College says, “Rules must work for an individual and for a situation. I have witnessed rules being made only to be broken. When an institution incorporates rules, there is always a greater reason behind them. Every child walks into a college with a lot of dreams and aspirations. It is the moral responsibility of the institution to break these myths and see to it that these young confused adults walk out of colleges not only equipped with a degree but also as responsible citizens of this country. My institution makes rules and regulations very clear to both students and parents and parents are aware and happy about it. We do not have any set of rules which have in any way curbed the independence of our students. After all, we teachers are their parents in colleges and we have every right to correct them when they go astray.”

Prajwal Bharadwaj, a mechanical engineering student thinks, “We should pay more attention in improving the quality of education. There should not be rules on how you are supposed to dress but, there should be a level of decency while grooming. Given the conservative nature that is present in Indian society, I feel there is still a room for improvement.”