Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has said that all universities in the state should create a dress code which focuses on traditional ethnic wear during convocation ceremonies instead of western attire, The Times of India reported.
Naik made the remark while addressing the 81st convocation of the BR Ambedkar University in Agra on Wednesday.
According to the report, Naik, who is also the Chancellor of all 25 universities of the state, said that universities should do away with the "European graduate gown culture".
He told TOI, "Universities have been asked to lay emphasis on creating a dress code with an Indian essence."
"A letter has been sent to all the state universities to do away with the black gown and introduce Indian attire. It has been left to the discretion of VC's of the universities about what they want the students to wear, but it should depict Indian culture. Institutions have also been asked to inculcate folk culture in the convocation dress if they have any regional speciality ," Naik added.
However, Naik's comments were not received well by some who termed his intention as an attempt to "saffronise" universities in the state.