Dhaka University (DU) student Asif Mahmud sparked a cultural debate by calling for the normalization of lungi and t-shirt as acceptable classroom attire.
On Thursday, April 24, he held token hunger strike on this demand.
Challenging colonial dress norms, he argues that students should have the freedom to wear clothes that reflect Bangladesh’s climate, lifestyle and cultural identity instead of conforming to Western standards like shirts and pants.
Speaking out against formal attire requirements for academic presentations and viva examinations, Asif described the expectation for students to dress as "English gentlemen" as "cultural bankruptcy", emphasising how climate and lifestyle differences between South Asia and Western nations should naturally lead to different clothing standards.
"Our climate, lifestyle, and culture are not the same as those of Europe or America, so it's natural that our clothing would be different too," Asif stated. "The compulsion to wear shirts and pants is essentially a reflection of colonial mentality, it's a colonial legacy."
Asif particularly questioned restrictions against traditional Bengali attire in academic settings. "We've been made to believe that sitting in class wearing a lungi is somehow disrespectful to knowledge," he noted, highlighting how cultural perceptions around clothing have been shaped by historical colonial influence.
Advocating for greater freedom of choice in student attire, Asif framed the issue as one of cultural rights. "Lungi and vest are part of Bengali heritage and culture," he added. "Those who want to wear pants can do so; but those who want to wear lungi and vest should also have the freedom to do so."
The student concluded by calling for institutional policy that respects traditional clothing choices. "I want students to have the right to wear clothes in classrooms that align with their environment and culture," he said, suggesting dress codes should better reflect Bangladesh's cultural identity rather than imported Western standards.
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