Hijab row: Students demand justice; Samithi warns of massive protest if concerns not addressed

Mangaluru VV Vidyarthi Samanvaya Samithi has warned of holding a massive protest rally if their concerns are not resolved in two days.

The Samithi has sought justice for students who have been denied permission to attend classes wearing headscarves at University College in Mangaluru.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday, June 2, under Mangaluru VV Vidyarthi Samanvaya Samithi, Gousiya, a final year degree student of University College in Mangaluru said that they had been attending classes wearing Hijab even after the Karnataka HIgh court verdict. However, on May 16 they got a text message from the college Principal informing students they won’t be allowed to attend class wearing Hijab.

The students petitioned before the principal and the district deputy commissioner but their efforts have gone in vain.

Pointing out that the Hijab issue cropped up at the college only recently, Gousiya said that a university syndicate order barring Hijab in college was taken following a representation by ABVP.

The decision has been taken in the mid-academic year and is bound to affect our studies, Gousia said. Further, she stated that the students are not even allowed to visit the library wearing the headscarf. We are even being subjected to harassment by a few of the ABVP-backed students and though the matter was reported to college authorities no action was taken against the erring students.

“The prospectus of the University College mentions that students are allowed to wear the veil of their uniform as a headscarf. We want the dress code to be followed as it is in the prospectus. It is a matter of right and we will fight for justice and will not lose hope,” she said.