Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network–Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, Feb 22: The burqa controversy now seems to have entered Bhatkal after Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada districts. Four students of Bhatkal first grade Government College reportedly entered their classes wearing saffron shawls and demanded that their Muslim lecturers should not enter the campus wearing burqa.

College in-charge principal Dr Bhagirathi Naik speaking to the media said that the incidents of students wearing saffron shawls opposing burqa in colleges in the neighbouring districts have influenced the students in Bhatkal. “The students say that the custom should be uniform over the districts and submitted an appeal to the principal. They had given a week’s time and senior officials have not yet decided anything on the matter. As a week is over, the students are protesting wearing shawls,” she said.

No order from the government

Bhagirathi said that she has no objection to the way lecturers wear their clothes as the government has passed no orders regarding the dress code.

She said that she has informed about the incident to MLA and higher authorities.

Some lecturers said that they are wearing burqa as their religion orders them to do so. “The government has not laid down any conditions regarding their dresses,” they said.