Hijab controversy: Udupi girls who moved HC refuse to attend practical examinations without headscarf

The controversy over dress code started in Government Pre-University College for Girls in Udupi before spreading to other colleges in Karnataka

The practical examinations for second-year science students began at the Government Pre-University College for Girls in Udupi on February 28 with the college not allowing students to appear for the examinations wearing hijab.

The controversy over dress code spread to other colleges in Karnataka from this pre-university college after six students demanded permission to wear hijab in the classroom. As the college refused, they approached the Karnataka High Court. The final verdict of the court is awaited.

Of the six students, three – Almas A H, Hazra Shifa and Bibi Ayesha – are in the science stream. They arrived in the college on February 28 wearing hijab to appear for the examination. But Principal Rudre Gowda did not allow them to enter the exam centre wearing a hijab citing the interim of order of the High Court. The students returned home.

On February 23, the students had met Maruthi, Deputy Director of the Department of Pre-University in Udupi, with a request to postpone their practical examinations, starting from February 28, for three days as they could not attend classes due to the hijab controversy. The Pre University Board did not entertain their demand.

Later, Ms. Almas tweeted: “Today was our final practical exam. We had completed our record books and went in great hopes to attend the practical exam. It was so disheartening when our principal threatened us saying ‘you have 5 minutes to leave, if you don’t leave, I will file a police complaint’.”

“Right now, we should have been in our labs attending the practicals, not compelled to leave. The hopes I had from my college and my dreams are getting shattered due to the hatred sowed against hijab.”