Govt To Medical Institutes: Stop Using ‘Colonial’ Black Robe, Cap In Convocation Ceremonies

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Hyderabad: The Union Health Ministry has directed all medical institutes run by the Central government to stop the use of traditional black robes and caps during convocation ceremonies, saying that it is a ‘colonial legacy’.

“It is observed that currently as a matter of practice black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various institutes of the Ministry. This attire originated in the Middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The tradition is a colonial legacy which needs to be changed,” the Ministry said in an order.

The institutes have been instructed to design ‘appropriate Indian dress code’ for the convocation ceremony, preferably based on local traditions of the state in which they are located.

“Accordingly, it has been decided by the Ministry that its various institutes, including AIIMS/INIs (Institutes of National Importance), engaged in imparting medical education will design an appropriate Indian dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute – based on local traditions of the State in which the institute is located,” the order said.

The order comes more than seven months after the University Grants Commission (UGC) requested universities to use handloom ceremonial robes for convocation.

The UGC made similar appeals to universities in 2015 and, then in 2019, after which many institutes switched to Indian attires for convocation.

The institutes have been instructed to submit proposals relating to designs for the convocation attires to the Ministry and get approval.