Dress codes and restrictions in colleges are damaging to students in a lot of ways. Dress codes violate students' right to freedom of free speech and expression and a few other human rights.

Some dress restrictions may even cause potential damage to students' health, such as Hidradenitis suppurativa patients like me. I am required to wear light and loose fitting clothing as claimed by doctors and researchers, and after about 3 years of dealing with this condition, I've finally concluded that collarless cotton t-shirts are the most efficient clothing for me. Unfortunately, my college doesn't allow this type of clothing and I'm suffering a lot. In fact, there is no FDA-approved treatment for this disease, and hence, a lot of care is to be taken. The American Academy of Dermatology has warned that Hidradenitis suppurativa patients have a small chance of developing skin cancer, especially when proper precautionary measures are not taken.

Besides, this dress code violates human rights. Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution demands freedom of speech and expression. Clothing is also a form of expression and dress codes and restrictions blatantly violate this law. It also violates Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." Moreover, dress restrictions violate the Article 26 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well which states, "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace." Full development of personality of a person cannot be achieved when the person cannot express his/her views.

 

Besides, dress restrictions reduce a student's willingness to go to college, and make them potential bullying (ragging) targets as some people may not look good in certain clothes, but they have to wear them due to restrictions by their institution. It also destroys some students, especially those who are psychologically weak, as they feel they're not recognized and respected for who they are. Dress restrictions can also force students to use unethical methods as an outlet of their frustration like smoking, consumption of alcohol, drugs, rude behaviour, etc. Dress restrictions also make students lose their interest in studies because students may not be comfortable, physically and mentally, in certain dresses during class hours.

 

Please pressure all institutions to remove all kinds of dress code policies and restrictions on all students irrespective of course, class, age, and gender. Removal of this policy will make a positive impact on students, will make students more happy and cheerful, will create a sense of love for their institution, can potentially cause them to be regular to their institution, will make them study better, will allow them to express and develop their personality, and will make a better India as the future of India lies in the hands of our students. We should never forget that dress restrictions have more disadvantages than advantages and are opposed and disliked by majority of the students. Students pay a lot of fees to colleges and they should have the right to wear what they feel comfortable. And, in the future when these students work, they will have to follow dress policies in offices and workplaces anyway. College is the first and last chance of students to express themselves through clothing and their right of expression should not be violated. I request you to listen to students' voice and opinion and enforce this measure immediately to build a better and a convenient future for our students and our future generations.