The Periyar University in Salem on Tuesday evening withdrew its controversial circular advising attendees to avoid wearing black for the 21st convocation to be held on June 28. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi will attend the convocation.
In its circular dated June 26, the university attributed the advisory to police instructions. However, Salem Police Commissioner B. Vijayakumari said the police had not issued any such instructions.
Incidentally, various parties including CPI, CPI(M), MDMK, VCK, IUML, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi had announced black flag protests against Sri. Sunday. Dravida Vidhuthalai Kazhagam leader Kolathur Mani also called for a protest.
In the circular, Registrar (Full Additional Charge) K.K. Thangavel had also cited “police instructions” in requesting the attendees not to bring mobile phones to the auditorium. The university administration had told reporters that the circular was based on the directions of the police commissioner. Ms. Vijayakumari, however, said that she visited the university only to inspect the security arrangements. “We did not give any instructions to avoid wearing black clothes. Soon after we came to know about the circular, we contacted the university administration and asked why it has blamed the police for this measure. The university will decide on the dress code as the function is being held on its campus. But it should not use our name for measurement,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the registrar, District Superintendent of Police R.K. Shivakumar said that the district police has not given any direction to the university on the dress code mentioned in the circular. Finally, on Tuesday evening, the registrar issued a fresh circular, in which he said the earlier circular had been withdrawn keeping in mind the “welfare of students and parents”.
Earlier, PB Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of Students’ Federation of India and State Platform for Common School System-TN, had criticized the earlier circular. Pointing out that Dravida Kazhagam founder Periyar EV Ramasamy, after whom the university is named, wore a black shirt, Mr. Babu said that wearing black was an assertion of the rights of the oppressed.
He said, “The Constitution of India and the laws made in accordance with its provisions do not prohibit the wearing of black clothes on any occasion.” He appealed to the university to withdraw it, saying, “This circular insults black-skinned people.” “If the university fails to withdraw the circular, the students should boycott the convocation,” he said.