"Why should a dress define your gender?" this intriguing question was embedded in a video showcasing a college event. It showed professors of Delhi University walking the ramp while cross-dressing. The event was organised by the college for the farewell ceremony of final-year students. While female professors adorned themselves in formal suits and ties, male professors graced the floor with traditional sarees and ghagra choli.
The video of the event was posted on social media. It started with a pair of models cross-dressed to defy gender stereotypes. The male professor graced the ramp with a half-saree and ghagra choli. At the same time, the female professor grabbed eyeballs with her formal suit complemented with a tie.
Around six to ten professors walked the ramp during the cross-dressing event. Some came solo while some came in pairs to make the difference in dressing more evident.
Mixed reactions from internet users
The viral video has garnered a polarising reaction from netizens, while some are appreciating the unconventional farewell, others are shaming it.
One Instagram user said, "This is more like making fun of genders ... so disrespectful." Another user remarked, "When teachers are encouraging these concepts what can be done"
People who appreciated the event were impressed by how it defied gender roles. One of the Instagram users said, "Clothes don’t define masculinity, your behaviour does. "
Memes ridiculing the event, in a negative way, too went viral.
This is not the first time that a University has taken a stand on gender-defying norms. Just a few days ago, the Internet was graced by a traditional yet progressive way of celebrating farewell at IIT Kanpur.
Unique way to bid farewell in IIT Kanpur: Boys marrying Boys
Two final-year boys of Senior UG Hostel married each other following every ritual. Before you raise your eyebrows, let me tell you these weddings are just mock weddings to bid a memorable goodbye to final-year students.
The big fat mock wedding is known as 'Hall 1 ki Baaraat' farewell tradition. It has been organised by final-year students for years now. As a part of the tradition, the groom and bride are selected through election. Then, a royal wedding is organised with all the customs - baaraat, mehendi, haldi and the wedding. It is a full-on celebration with lots of dance, music and enjoyment that makes the farewell memorable for the final-year students walking out of the college.
Even though this was a mock wedding, the fact that men felt comfortable dressing as women cannot be ignored. Similarly, in the event of Delhi University, it is commendable that men and women cross-dressed and felt nothing shameful or weird about it- proven by the fact that they flaunted their attire through the ramp walk.
Universities again becoming the breeding ground of change
Universities have always been the breeding ground of revolution. Educational institutions normalising cross-dressing and defying strict gender norms show that educational institutions are not caged by social norms and traditions. They are still the same campuses that gave birth to the greatest revolutionaries of our country. As far as people's condemnation of these events is concerned, well, which change happens without ignoring 'log kya kahenge'?
Views expressed are the author's own.
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