IIT Kharagpur Issues Clarification After Convocation Dress Code Sparks Row

As per media reports, IIT Kharagpur has said that the dress code is not mandatory and students can choose to wear whatever they want under the normal code of conduct befitting the occasion.

IIT Kharagpur Clarifies Over Convocation Dress Code Row

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has issued a clarification after the release of the dress code for the 69th convocation of the institute, sparked row. The institute has said that the convocation dress code issued by the authorities is not mandatory for students and is something subject to their personal choice, as per a Times of India report. The report further cited sources as saying that the dress code was brought in considering the theme of the institute's 69th convocation. 

“It is just a guideline so that it becomes easier for students to look to the part on their special day. The notice issued by the committee is a preference and does not fall under mandatory requisites. They can wear whatever they want under the normal code of conduct befitting the occasion,” a senior official was reported as saying. 

Notably, a row quickly followed after the IIT Kharagpur released the dress code for its 69th convocation last week. The convocation is scheduled to be held somewhere towards the end of this year. The dress code underlined that men should wear full-sleeved, knee-length, plain, solid white kurta for the convocation ceremony. The dress code further stipulated that the kurta should have a mandarin collar along with a straight hem, and should be paired with a with a white vest as an undershirt and white fitted cotton churidar or pyjamas.

For girls on the other hand, the dress code stated that they should wear a plain, solid white cotton saree with a plain, narrow golden zari border and plain pallu. The code further directed girls to wear the saree in the Parsi style along with pleated pallu. For footwear, the guidelines asked both boys and girls to wear brown close-toed Indian juti or kolhapuri chappal. 

The guidelines further stated that for accessories, wrist watches can be worn, but jewelery has to be restrictive with just one simple neck chain, two simple bangles or wristlets, ear studs of earrings, and finger rings.