Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Picture for representational purpose only
Mangalore, Aug 10: A student of Jain College Moodbidri has approached the district deputy commissioner with a complaint that the authorities of the college have not been permitting her to wear headscarf (Hijab - shawl) while attending classes. The student is a second year PU (commerce) student of the college.
Because of the insistence of the college management that girl students should not wear head scarves, and the girl’s determination not to attend college without the headscarf, the student in question has not been attending college since the last two months, it is gathered. It is said that the college management had ordered Mumtaz, who entered the class with her headscarf on at the beginning of the academic year, to stand outside. The student says the pleas of her parents have also not been considered favourably by the college.
This tug-of-war has threatened to affect the girl’s academics. She says she has not been insisting on wearing a separate headscarf, but that she wants to use the veil (dupatta) of the college uniform as headscarf, as customary in her religion. Her parents have stood by her and supported her cause. Her well-wishers point out that wearing of headscarves has been allowed in a number of educational institutions in the region.
College convenor, Pratap, says that the college allows wearing of even Burqa in the college compound, but inside the class rooms, it is compulsory for students to maintain equality and stick to the dress code as per college rules. In-charge principal of the college, Keshava Bhat, says that if the student’s request is granted, requests for further leniency may come in from the students in the future.
Now that the ball is in the court of the district administration, it is hoped that the district department of PU education will take a decision soon in the matter and instruct the college to allow the student in question to wear headscarf while attending classes. An early decision is the need of the hour, as the future prospects of the student are in jeopardy.