Moradabad (UP): Over a dozen burqa-clad students of Hindu College in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad staged a sit-in protest outside the college's main gate on Wednesday after they were denied entry into college premises unless they removed their burqas on.

This comes after the college management decided to implement a strict dress code, requiring all students

“The college has implemented a strict dress code since January 1 and each student has already been informed in advance about it. We have decided that none of the students will be allowed entry into the premises if they are not wearing the college uniform,” A P Singh, the chief proctor of Hindu College, was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

The new dress code does not include a burqa, hence, students wearing it were not allowed to enter.

“We have made arrangements for a special changing room where those in burqa can remove it and go to the college in proper uniform and when they come out of the main gate, they again can wear the same,” Singh added.

Established in 1911, Hindu College is one of the renowned colleges in western UP.

It is affiliated to Rohilkhand University in Bareilly.

Professor Shalini Rai and other college teachers stepped out to persuade the protesting students into following the college dress code.

But the leaders of the Samajwadi Party (SP) joined the protesting students and alleged a political motive behind the new rule.

Aslam Chaudhary, chief of the Samajwadi Party’s Moradabad youth wing said the move was directed at a particular community.

“When Sikhs are allowed to enter any college wearing turban with kirpan, why then sartorial rules are meant to restrict only Muslim women? We will continue to agitate against the move,” Chaudhary was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Chief proctor Singh said the college management’s decision is applicable to all.

“None regardless of their religion will be allowed to enter the premises without wearing proper uniform. We are ready to come out with solutions on a priority basis if the students have other issues than the dress code, which was implemented on January 1, and is being strictly enforced since January 14,” he clarified, the report said.

Most of the agitating students stayed away from college on Thursday.

A student said that the opposing students would decide their future course of action in a day or two, according to the report.