In a circular which is likely to create a major furore, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has asked all law colleges to devise dress codes befitting the profession. They have also suggested a dress code of white shirt with white, black or grey trousers, reports Legally India.

The notice to all law colleges came on April 7, just a day after the dress controversy at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) campus, Bengaluru. In the incident, a third-year student was allegedly chastised by a professor for wearing shorts. To protest against moral policing, a section of students turned up in shorts the next day. "In solidarity with the student concerned, and as a mark of protest against the professor, we choose to exercise our right to personal expression and comfort by wearing shorts to the class of the professor concerned," said a post on Facebook on behalf of the students of third year B.A., LL.B. (Hons). The matter was later said to have been amicably resolved.

Also read Lawyered: When an entire batch of NLSUI students wore shorts

However, now the timing of the Bar Council notice is bound to raise eyebrows. In the notice, the council bemoans the dressing standards of students stating, "it has been found that the standard of dresses by the students of law all over the country is gradually detracting and which does not give impression of proper dress code discipline specially for the professional education". (sic) They subsequently went on to give their recommendation which essentially urges colleges to impose a dress code .

However, the curious thing is the resolution was passed way back in October, last year. What took BCI so long to send it to the law colleges, is a question only they can answer.

Also Read: Lawyered: When an entire batch of NLSUI students wore shorts