Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India bans graduation gowns, mortarboards in state-run medical colleges

The Ministry of Health of India has instructed these institutions to adopt traditional Indian attire instead.

Several Indian universities have already discarded traditional gowns. (Representational image: iStock)
Several Indian universities have already discarded traditional gowns. (Representational image: iStock)

THE INDIAN government has banned the use of black gowns and mortarboards at graduation ceremonies in state-run medical colleges, aiming to eliminate Britain's colonial influence.

The Ministry of Health of India has instructed these institutions to adopt traditional Indian attire instead.


“This attire originated in the Middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The tradition is a colonial legacy which needs to be changed,” the ministry stated in a letter addressed to heads of central government-run medical institutions, as reported by The Times.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has frequently emphasised the need to shed remnants of British rule, associating such customs with “mental slavery” and a lack of cultural pride, reported the newspaper. In a speech two years ago, he reiterated the importance of moving away from a colonial mindset to achieve a developed India.

The order coincides with a nationwide doctors’ strike following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata on August 9. Suvrankar Datta, vice-president of the Resident Doctors’ Association in Delhi, expressed frustration over the timing, stating that while doctors were awaiting protective measures, the ministry prioritised the dress code change, The Times reported.

As part of its broader campaign against colonial relics, the Modi government has also renamed streets and initiated a review of the Indian army’s uniforms, regiments, and traditions. In 2022, government officials in Maharashtra were instructed to replace “hello” with “vande mataram” when greeting the public.

Several Indian universities have already discarded traditional gowns. For instance, students in Shillong wore Indian outfits during their April graduation ceremony, and Delhi University replaced black gowns with colourful stoles at its 99th graduation ceremony last year, the newspaper reported.

The University Grants Commission of India has also encouraged the use of handloom cotton for graduation gowns, considering it more suitable for India’s climate.

More For You

british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

Heemal Vaid (Photo: NCA)

Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

A 49-year-old Asian drug dealer who masterminded the import and sale of cocaine and heroin worth more than £4 million has been jailed for 18 years, after National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators identified him from secret phone messages.

British Indian Heemal Vaid, of Cheam, used EncroChat – an encrypted phone service for criminals – to broker deals, unaware that in 2020, an international law enforcement team would crack EncroChat’s encryption.

Keep ReadingShow less