Chandigarh: Senior Punjab MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has sparked a fresh political controversy by strongly opposing a newly issued dress code directive by Panjab University Chandigarh Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement posted on social media, Khaira alleged that the prescribed dress code—beige (khaki) trousers, white shirts, and beige turbans for students—mirrors the attire traditionally associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during its formal events. He described the move as a “blatant attempt to saffronize vital educational institutions of India.”
Khaira argued that educational campuses must remain politically neutral spaces that promote diversity and independent thought, rather than becoming platforms for ideological influence. “Such directives undermine the secular fabric of our institutions and impose a particular worldview on students,” he stated.
The issue has triggered debate among student groups and political observers, with some expressing concern over institutional autonomy and others defending the move as a standardization effort for discipline and uniformity.
So far, officials from Panjab University have not issued a detailed clarification on the intent behind the dress code. The controversy is expected to intensify as political parties weigh in, turning what began as an administrative decision into a broader debate over education, identity, and ideology in India.