The row over the Hijab escalated in Karnataka on Monday with female students from Mangalore University approaching the Deputy District Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada to seek permission to wear the Islamic headscarf on campus.
The 12 female students who renewed the request to wear the hijab in educational institutions on Saturday also came to University College on Monday.
As there is a dress code in place for students, the university authorities did not allow them to enter on Saturday as well as on Monday.
After being told to approach the deputy district commissioner, three students went to his office and submitted a memorandum.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra KV said college authorities banned their entry after the university union decided not to allow any fabrics, be it hijab or saffron scarves, which could disturb the peace and cited the recent High Court ruling that the hijab is not an essential religious practice. and the dress code must be followed in the college where uniform dress has been prescribed.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Rajendra said some students unhappy with the university union order had approached him.
“I told them that I cannot challenge the decision of the union members at the district level and that you must respect the order and the rules of the union. They must also look into the legal aspects. I also appealed to them to ensure peace on the college campus,” he said.
University Vice-Chancellor P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya told a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club that the university must abide by orders from the High Court and the state government.
“We will abide by the orders of HC and the state government. If a student encounters a problem in implementing it, we will make a sincere effort to resolve the problem,” he said.
The students argued that the order pertained to junior colleges and not university colleges.
Regarding their performance, one student said, “We had given a letter to the DC (to review the dress code) and silently resolve the issue. The issue has been going on for a week and a half but it has not attracted any publicity.” because we wanted to solve the problem legally but the problem was made public because of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP),” a student told reporters.
Citing a WhatsApp chat in the student group, she claimed that students affiliated with the ABVP called on Hindus to come to college wearing an orange shawl on May 24.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also cited the High Court ruling and said everyone must follow the uniform rule.
On March 15, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the petition filed by some female students of Government Girl’s Pre-university College in Udupi district seeking permission to wear hijab on the university campus.
The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi argued that hijab is not an essential religious practice and everyone should follow the dress uniform rule.
