Techno Cultural Fest In Odisha: VSSUT Sparks Row With ‘Dress In Indian Attire’ Directive For Students

Sambalpur: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) Burla, has stirred controversy by issuing stringent instructions to students, mandating traditional Indian attire during its forthcoming cultural festival.

A notice released by the registrar on behalf of the vice-chancellor on Wednesday urged students to attire themselves in Indian traditional or authentic clothing, explicitly forbidding western, vulgar, or short dresses on campus for the four days of the fest.

“All the students of VSSUT, Burla are instructed to wear Indian traditional authentic dresses during the Techno-Cultural Fest-2024.”

The notice further warned the students not to wear ‘Western/vulgar/ short dresses’ inside the university campus during these days. “Those not found in Indian traditional/authentic dresses will be sent back from the main gate immediately and the action as deemed fit will be taken by the university,” it added.

The administration argued that this would serve as a way to promote Indian culture in alignment with the festival’s essence.

“If the varsity authorities planned this, they could have put forth the proposal before the students and implemented it with a common consensus. The notice has triggered resentment among many students,” a student was quoted as saying by TNIE.

The four-day extravaganza is scheduled from March 22 to 25 and consisting of the technical-cultural fest Samavesh and Vassaunt-2024.