Karnataka: ‘Hijab Is Our Constitutional Right’ Say Protesting Students Refusing To Attend Online Classes Offered By College

The issue over permitting ’Hijab’ inside classrooms in Karnataka has escalated with the students refusing the college‘s suggestion of attending online classes until a resolution is found.

Six students of the college had decided to sport the hijab and attend classes against the rules of the institution that doesn't permit any such additions or modifications to the prescribed uniform.

While the government had earlier this week decided to set up an expert committee to decide on the dress code in colleges in the state, it has reportedly asked the Udupi Govt Women’s PU College to maintain status quo until then. The college management on the other hand, taking cognisance of the loss of classes and impending exams offered a temporary solution of facilitating virtual attendance to the classes.

The college proposed that the students attend online classes until the issue is resolved and appear for the exams to avoid putting their future at stake. But the girls are now said to have refused to do so and insisted that they would only attend physical classes if permitted to sport the hijab.

Udupi MLA and Head of College Development committee Raghupati Bhat called it an attempt to disturb the harmonious atmosphere of the college and said the hijab will not be permitted until the high committee report is received and the government takes a decision about the same. Cop turned Congressman G A Bawa representing various Muslim organisations is said to have met him and agreed to convince the parents to abide by the existing rules until further response from the government.

“If they do not agree, they can not be taken inside the classes, but online classes may be conducted in order to make them appear for the examination. Next year, maybe those students can move to other colleges wherever their demand is met," said Bhat, as reported, while urging the students to not ‘fall prey to agenda of vested interests’.

Karnataka Minister For Education, BC Nagesh, too, has earlier clarified that schools and colleges are not places to practice religion but to gain education and hence asked that such demands be shunned.

But the girls have refused to budge and said “we don’t want online classes. Hijab is our constitutional right and we will go to college sporting it.” Speaking to media persons, two of the six girls, Muskan Zainab and Aliya are seen adamant in their demand to be permitted to sport the hijab and attend classes.

“Why should we attend online lectures? Why should we be denied of the opportunity to attend offline classes? Isn't it about equality then - why this discrimination? Can we attend our labs online? Why should we compromise? Our parents support our decision to fight for our fundamental rights“, they said.

The college though has said they are free to choose any other institution in the next academic year but no hijab will be permitted within classrooms for now.