Stopped from felicitating minister due to sleeveless kurti, alleges DU student

New Delhi: A Delhi University student has alleged that she was prevented from felicitating Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya at an event on women’s empowerment because she was wearing a sleeveless kurti. Videos of the student’s claims have been widely shared on social media.The student, from Daulat Ram College, said she had been invited to participate as the “Minister of Women and Child Development” in a mock parliament, organised at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in collaboration with the ministry of youth affairs and sports on April 12. The theme of the event was “Nari Shakti: Viksit Bharat Ki Awaaz”.According to the student, she had received an official communication from the ministry, along with other women participants, inviting her to take part in the programme. The invitation, seen by TOI, was sent via WhatsApp, and included details of the venue and date.

It stated that “the script will be provided by the ministry of youth affairs and sports. You are required to prepare accordingly”. The message was attributed to Nisha Kumari, identified as district youth officer, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat).According to the student, participants were initially asked to attend the programme in traditional attire, such as a sari. However, subsequent messages show participants seeking clarification on the dress code, pointing out that many were travelling by Metro and some from Uttarakhand did not have saris.

In response, the official indicated that kurtis would be allowed.The student alleged that she was scheduled to deliver a speech, present a draft resolution and felicitate the Union minister. However, she claimed she was stopped during a rehearsal and replaced by another participant for the felicitation segment.“During the run-through, a female ministry official stopped me and said I could not go on stage to felicitate the minister because I was wearing a sleeveless kurti.

I was replaced by another girl. I objected, pointing to other girls who were wearing sleeveless blouses, but they said it was not ‘modest’ for felicitating the minister,” she alleged, adding, “I later went on to deliver my speech and present the draft resolution in the same outfit, without any objection.

”Calling the incident “discriminatory”, the student said, “A woman has an equal right of representing herself in public spaces, and clothing is a part of one’s identity.

My sleeveless outfit, which did not violate any stated dress code, is being criticised. This reflects the hypocrisy embedded in our society, where even in the name of ‘nari shakti’, women’s choices are policed.”The student took to social media on April 13 alleging discrimination and tagged the ministry. The video has since garnered thousands of likes and has been widely shared. Some students have also objected to her claims in the comment section.There was no immediate response from the ministry of youth affairs and sports or the SRCC administration.