Hijab row resurfaces in Karnataka as the Mangalore university disallows headscarves inside classrooms. Authorities decided to follow the High Court guidelines even though it only applied to spaces where College Development Council (CDC) guidelines are to be followed.
According to the Indian Express, the degree university earlier allowed hijabs matching the colour of uniforms. However, it decided that the court order upholding the hijab ban in pre-university colleges will apply to degree colleges as well and as such religious attire will not be allowed inside classrooms, libraries and the canteen.
“Following the meeting with CDC President and the MLA of the Mangalore South constituency, Vedavyas Kamath, the student welfare officer, and members of the syndicate, it has been decided that hijab and other religious outfits will not be allowed inside classrooms. There was confusion about whether the court order would apply to degree colleges. However, according to the advisory of the state government, the higher education council, and the court order, all colleges will have to comply with the uniform,” said Vice-Chancellor Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya.
The university took this decision after Hindu students of a constituent college demanded such a ban. In the May 26 protest, the students said Muslim girl students should be suspended for wearing hijab. Speaking to The Quint, some students said that the rule must be implemented in colleges, especially considering how a parents-teachers meeting was held regarding the matter. The students threatened to boycott classes until the order was implemented.
#Karnatakahijabrow opposing #Muslim girls who came to classroom wearing #Hijab at #Mangalore university. #Hindu students held protests demanding to not allow them inside to wear hijab. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/eQxDq1q6lj
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) May 26, 2022
However, the High Court order does not state the inclusion of degree colleges, limiting the application of government orders to pre-university colleges. It only acknowledges the jurisdiction of such order from schools to PU colleges.
In response, the girl students wrote to the deputy commissioner about their concerns and asked for immediate solution in this regard.
Muslim female students of Mangalore University protest in front of DC’s office & request him to allow them to wear hijab in classroom. The Muslim students have also alleged that they are victim to nasty comments, social exclusion and teasing by students of other faith. @TheQuint https://t.co/ZO4zZ5zNtu pic.twitter.com/xILLuXgKF6
— Ananth Shreyas (@ananthshreyas) May 26, 2022
Meanwhile, the university claimed it has made “alternative arrangements” for the 15 or so girl students who remained firm about wearing the hijab to class. However, this only meant that authorities will counsel the girls about the court order. Failing this, they “will help them get admission in educational institutions where the hijab is allowed or where there are no uniforms,” said Yadapadithaya.
Even the Minority Welfare department stressed that the CDC norms only apply to pre-university public institutions and not degree colleges.
Still, the decision is already affecting students and even teachers who wear hijabs. People are being told to remove their scarves even in colleges that do not follow CDC guidelines. Claiming a divisor sentiment in all of this, the student-petitioners who appealed to the High Court approached the Supreme Court. The matter will now dealt with at the apex court.
Related:
Walkouts, objections, after Karnataka HC verdict on Hijab, but BJP netas hail it
Karnataka: Minority dept bars hijab, saffron scarves in govt schools, PUs
Karnataka: Two Private Pre-University colleges allow students to wear Hijab