Karnataka students still barred from attending classes with hijabs; HC to hear matter tomorrow | Top points
India Today
Muslim students were not allowed to attend classes wearing hijabs in Karnataka's Udupi district while some students wore saffron scarves in protest against hijab in colleges. The Karnataka High Court is set to hear a petition on dress codes in colleges. Here are the top points.
On January 1, six Muslim students of a government Pre-University college in Karnataka's Udupi were barred from attending classes wearing a hijab. The college management cited a new uniform policy behind the reason for the ban. The issue has now spilled over to other government colleges in Udupi with several students protesting against a ban on hijab. Here are the top points.
A total of 28 Muslim students of Kundapura college were asked not to attend classes wearing hijab. The administration cited new government guidelines that bans the usage of hijab inside a classroom. Meanwhile, some Hindu groups allegedly forced boys to wear saffron shawls on the college campus in a response to Muslim girls insisting on wearing hijab.
The girls were not allowed inside the college premises. On Monday, February 7, reports emerged that protesting students were made to sit separately and denied classes.
However, Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh took to Twitter to clarify, saying that it was the protesting students’ choice to sit separately and continue their protest. He reiterated that students must adhere to the dress code to attend classes.
READ | OPINION | Karnataka hijab row: Much ado about a headscarf?
BC Nagesh said students who insist on hijab-wearing will not be allowed into the government educational institutions. Then, he asked some students protesting on the street outside the college to sit in a separate room but they were not imparted lessons.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said rules regarding uniformity in schools and colleges have been mentioned in the constitution and those will be followed. Bommai said, "There is a rule in the constitution regarding uniformity in schools and colleges. The rules are also clearly mentioned in the Karnataka Education Act. All these rules are clear as to what's to be followed. We have issued a notification."
