India, Aug. 13 -- The debate over what students should wear on campus has once again exposed a larger question: is gender sensitisation in Delhi University keeping pace with the generation it serves? The Delhi High Court's recent observation that boys must be taught to control their conduct rather than women being told what to wear offers a timely lens through which to examine campus culture. The court rejected the idea that a woman's clothing could "corrupt young boys", stressing that clothing is a matter of personal choice and cannot justify harassment. The issue acquires particular relevance in DU, where conversations around dress have continued to surface. St. Stephen's College's recent directive restricting shorts in classrooms and several common spaces has already prompted student resistance, with students questioning the need for detailed clothing rules and their ambiguous definitions. Also Read - Man sedated, electrocuted, & beaten to death in S Delhi The concern is not that institutions should have no standards. It is whether institutional attention is being directed towards regulating appearance when students also need sustained education on consent, boundaries and respectful behaviour. DU has existing mechanisms, including Internal Complaints Committees, the Women's Studies Development Centre and gender-sensitisation initiatives. Its General Elective, 'Negotiating Intimate Relationships', also acknowledges the need for students to understand relationships, emotional distress and healthy boundaries. But such conversations cannot remain confined to electives or occasional workshops. DU should consider a university-wide 'Gender Sensitisation in the Gen Z World' programme covering consent, harassment, victim-blaming, rejection, jealousy, possessiveness, online behaviour and emotional responsibility. Freshers could receive sensitisation sessions during orientation, followed by peer-led discussions and information on grievance mechanisms. The aim should be to build responsibility and respect, rather than police morality or regulate students' clothing choices.

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