Students of Ranchi Women’s College look happy in their white-and-blue uniforms. File picture

This Independence Day, students of a capital college will lose their freedom to wear what they want.

Taking a cue from Ranchi Women’s College and Marwari College, both autonomous institutions, a third such cradle, Ranchi College, will introduce a dress code for its undergraduate and postgraduate students after August 15.

The step has been initiated to foster a feeling of equality and identify outsiders to keep them off campus.

Though every department will have colour-coded uniforms, girls will attend classes in salwar kameez and boys in shirts and trousers.

The colours for each department have been selected and will soon be supplied to the students at reasonable rates.

“Each set of uniform will come for around Rs 500,” said an insider.

“I want all students be treated equal. No one should be looked down upon. Students coming from less affluent families tend to develop an inferiority complex when they see their classmates in expensive clothes,” said principal U.C. Mehta.

Of the 4,000 students, there are 30 boys and girls from poor and BPL families. “We will give them clothes free of cost. The money will be released from our Poor Boys’ Fund,” Mehta added.

College authorities have already roped in two suppliers to stitch the dresses.

Mehta said once the uniforms were in place, college authorities also would be able to differentiate between students and trespassers.

“This way, we can stop the entry of strangers and maintain campus discipline,” the principal added.

The college will also distribute free uniforms to students who can’t afford them.

Students also seconded the view of college authorities that introducing uniforms would improve discipline and foster equality.

“I come from Tamar and stay at a nearby hostel. It is very tough for me to bear the rising cost of everything. I can’t afford new clothes every month for college. This step will ensure that all of us attend classes in similar clothes,” said second-year chemistry student Suraj Rai.

First-year girl Nilima Rani added: “We will wear similar clothes, which will stop outsiders from trespassing.”