India, July 29 -- A circular by Delhi University's St. Stephen's College prohibiting students from wearing shorts on some parts of the campus sparked massive protests on Tuesday, with several students defying the order on the first day of the new academic session.

According to The Times of India, the students termed the directive "moral policing" and described it as an "intrusion into their choice of clothing". Some students and faculty members claimed the institute was already discouraging wearing shorts for several years, but said it was the first time a formal order was issued enforcing it.

In its circular dated July 26, which HT has seen, college principal Professor Susan Elias prohibited wearing shorts by students across classrooms...