Ramesh calls wearing convocation gown a barbaric colonial practice - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Union Minister of state for Environment Jairam Ramesh on Friday called the practice of wearing a traditional coloured gown during university convocation ceremony as a barbaric colonial practice. Delivering the convocation address at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Ramesh said: "I still have not been able to figure out after 60 years of Independence why we stick to these barbaric colonial relics." Ramesh also asked why there cannot be a convocation with everyone sporting a simple dress during the ceremony. "Why cannot we have a convocation in simple dress instead of coming dressed up as medieval vicars and popes," he asked. Ramesh also removed his gown worn over his white kurta while asking the question.