A.R. Dewan being taken out of the court on Friday in Darjeeling. Picture by Suman Tamang

Darjeeling, Oct 24: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has announced that college students will have to attend classes in traditional attires three days a week even after the dress code movement ends on November 7.

This dress code for students will create a “healthy atmosphere in colleges,” the Morcha has claimed. On the other hand, the primary intention of the month long “cultural movement” that started on October 7 was to show that the hills were different from the rest of Bengal.

“College students in traditional dresses will not be able to drink or smoke, as they would be easily identified. This would create a healthy atmosphere in educational institutes. We want them to wear the dresses on Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” said Morcha president Bimal Gurung at a news conference here today. He said a meeting would be held with the principals after Diwali.

Although most students were apprehensive about the clamp on their newly acquired independence (after stepping out of school), few agreed to open their mouths even under anonymity.

“We have just come out of school wearing uniforms for 12 long years. Even if the traditional dress is for three days a week, it is more of a uniform. I guess we are mature and independent enough to choose the dress we want to wear. Now that the announcement has been made do, we have much choice?” asked a first-year student.

A college-going girl said she has no problems wearing the traditional dress but attending classes in it will be difficult. “It is more sari-like (farayi) and we do not carry the dress well. Making us wear it on some special occasions would have suited us fine.”

There are few takers for the Morcha theory of trying to create a healthy atmosphere in colleges.

“Students become practically independent when they reach college. We would not want anyone to trample on our independence. Moreover merely wearing a dress will not change a person’s habit or attitude towards life,” said a student.

Gurung also dared Madan Tamang to prove by November 7 that the Morcha had withdrawn two of its movements following a meeting with home secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti at Tinchulay.

“If he cannot, he should end his political career.”

“Our agitation was withdrawn solely on the request of governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi,” Gurung said. Following the governor’s request, the Morcha has decided not to force “GL” number plates on vehicles travelling to the hills nor wipe out “West Bengal” from government signboards.