In yet another case of moral policing by college authorities, St. Aloysius College in Mangalore came up with a decorum for its students that can be termed as sexist.
As per new rules, girls are not allowed to tie high or low "hair buns", or leave their "hair open", they can only wear "black footwear". Girls can NOT meet their male friends in another class or go out of campus for lunch during break time.
The memo also mentioned, non-conformance to these rules would lead to a fine of Rs.500 and an apology letter, the first time; Rs.1000, call for parents and suspension, the second time; and finally termination from college.
According to a blog posted by a St.Aloysius alumnus, Satshya Anna Tharien, these rules were communicated by teachers in a closed-door meeting only for female students while college authorities denied issuing any such official memo.
The sad part is St.Aloysius is not the only college to issue such guidelines. Several Chennai colleges have issued "sexist" circulars in the past. This is becoming a norm. Such colleges, in the name of "protecting women", eventually end up protecting or even strengthening the patriarchal norms of society.
For our nation to progress, this moral policing needs to stop. It is these sexist rules that lead to victim blaming. We are only getting regressive by the day.
