A private school in Pune on Thursday withdrew guidelines it had issued on the colour of its female students’ underwear after the Maharashtra government ordered an inquiry into complaints about it, PTI reported. Parents and students protested on Wednesday against the directions issued by MAEER’S MIT School, the Hindustan Times reported.
The school revoked the guidelines after a team of Pune Municipal Corporation education officers ordered them to do so. The institution defended it decision by claiming that it “was student-centric, intended in the best interests of the student community and not to hurt individual or group sentiments”, PTI reported.
“The girls were asked to wear either white or skin colour innerwear,” a parent told ANI. “They have even mentioned the length of the skirt to be worn by them. They have all these things in the school diary and have asked us to sign it.”
The school also allegedly restricted students from using the washroom outside specified time limits. The guidelines said action would be taken against students and parents if they do not comply, ANI reported.
Suchitra Karad Nagare, the executive director of MIT Group of Institutes, said the intention behind the guidelines was “very pure”. “We had some experiences in the past which made us take this decision,” she told ANI. “We did not have any hidden agenda.”
The rules are meant for the security of the students, and there is no any other intention, she told the Hindustan Times. “If parents have any objection, they have to approach us,” she said. “We will definitely find a solution.”
The state’s Education Minister Vinod Tawde said, “I have directed the education department to conduct a detailed inquiry in this matter. If necessary, we will take action.”
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