The debate over uniforms for college and university students has resonated across classrooms, corridors, and canteens in Lucknow, following directives from Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay. Students have expressed mixed reactions to the proposed dress code.
Individuality vs. Uniformity
Paakhi Sharma, a BA student at Lucknow University, argued that college is distinct from school, where students express themselves through clothing and personal style. “If everyone wears a uniform, it will take away that individuality and make campus life feel restricted and less vibrant,” she said.
Rashee Sisodiya, a BSc student at Lucknow University, echoed similar sentiments, noting that a fixed dress code would eliminate the informal and open atmosphere of college life, where students typically experiment with their style. She added that mandatory uniforms would make the campus environment feel more controlled than creative.
Impact on Social Media Culture
Mahima Thakur, a BTech student at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, highlighted the direct impact on social media culture. “We plan our outfits based on the kind of reels or photos we shoot on campus, sometimes coordinating with friends to make the content look better. If everyone is in uniform, that element of creativity will be gone. Routine will feel repetitive, and campus content will lose what makes it interesting,” she explained.
Practical Benefits and Concerns
Some students see practical advantages. A law student at Lucknow University's second campus noted, “Not everyone can afford expensive clothes, and students feel pressure to keep buying new outfits just to fit into the peer group. A uniform can reduce that pressure and level things for everyone.”
However, Neha Singh, a student of IT College, expressed worries about the financial burden. “There is no clarity on how much each set will cost or how many will be required. Buying multiple sets will increase the financial burden on students and their families,” she said.
Priyanshu Srivastava, a student of National PG College, who already has a uniform, responded with a note of satisfaction. “We already have a uniform in our college, so students from other colleges and universities who used to tease us about it will now be in uniform too,” he said with a smug smile.
