LUCKNOW, May 23 -- No broader consultation was held and no approval from chief minister Yogi Adityanath was sought before announcing the proposal to introduce uniforms in universities and degree colleges, Uttar Pradesh higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyaya said while defending the move on Friday.

The minister said Uttar Pradesh would become the first state in the country to introduce such a system in higher educational institutions and expressed confidence that other states would eventually follow suit.

"Ideally leaders don't believe in following trends; they are trendsetters," he said, arguing that uniforms should not remain limited to school students alone.

Asked whether the chief minister had been informed before the announce...