Hijab row: students continue their protest

Hijab row: students continue their protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 17, 2012: Over 100 students of Sri Ramakunjeshwara First Grade College near Uppinangadi have boycotted classes for the past one week.

The reason - the students are protesting a blanket ban imposed by the college management on hijab (headscarf) worn by Muslim girls.  While the students are claiming discrimination against minority youth, the college management has dismissed the allegation as ’baseless’, saying it is only enforcing discipline among the students.

 

’We are trying to convince the students to attend classes. The management is of the opinion that wearing hijab affects the teaching and learning process.

’Besides, students of other communities feel uncomfortable. There is no discrimination. We are implementing a rule that already existed. The parents were aware of it,’ college principal Vasanth Rao said.

Apparently, the number of girls wearing hijab has increased over the past few months, prompting the authorities to enforce the ban on headscarves more strictly.

The college authorities said they had specifically informed the parents about the ban on hijab before admitting their wards. ’They did not have any objection to the ban then.

They are now protesting against our policy. We have a common code for uniform and that cannot be broken,’ an administration member said. Askar Ali, a BCom student, said: ’We have been seeking permission on behalf of our community. The management is reluctant. Therefore, we are extending support to them by boycotting classes.’

Some Muslim leaders have already approached the Dakshina Kannada district administration seeking ’justice’. The leaders have threatened to take the college to court if the government does not intervene in the matter.