Students allege new rules at Mount Carmel College foster fear, harassment, and gender-based restrictions.
Students of Mount Carmel College (MCC) in Bengaluru have strongly opposed what they describe as arbitrary dress code and conduct rules imposed by the administration, alleging that the measures amount to “moral policing.” The college, however, has denied the allegations, insisting that the guidelines do not restrict students’ freedom.
According to a statement from a student group called Collective Bangalore, both undergraduate and postgraduate students have raised concerns that the administration has been enforcing repressive policies since the start of the academic year. They allege that adult students are being treated “like schoolchildren,” with the new dress code implemented in a “gendered and humiliating” manner.
The students claim that the administration’s approach has created an atmosphere of fear and harassment on campus. They argue that rules on attire and conduct are being applied selectively, often targeting female students, thereby curtailing their sense of autonomy. Collective Bangalore has demanded that the college revoke the new policies and engage in open dialogue with students before imposing restrictions.
In response, MCC authorities dismissed the allegations, stating that the institution has always prioritized discipline and academic focus while respecting personal freedom. Officials maintained that the college’s rules are framed with the intention of fostering a healthy academic environment and do not amount to moral policing. The issue has sparked a broader debate about personal freedom, institutional authority, and gender sensitivity in higher education campuses across Bengaluru, with several student groups expressing solidarity with MCC students.
