Uppinangady college declares holiday after 10 students refuse to remove hijab

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 17, 2022: Uppinangady first-grade government college declared two-day holiday for students after 10 Muslim girl students refuse to remove the Hijab while attending classes on Thursday.

 

More than 60 Muslim students of Dr G Shankar Government First Grade College, Udupi decide to return home again after they were disallowed.

Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane clarifies that police had not resorted to lathicharge in order to disperse the students.

There is no tension in Udupi. The situation is 100% peaceful. We’re executing the High Court’s (interim) order, says ST Siddalingappa, Additional SP of Udupi.

Authorities at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, Udupi, have postponed practical exams for Class 12.

The Karnataka High Court is all set to resume hearing in the hirab row case around 2:30 pm on Thursday. Last week, the court, in its interim order, restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag within the classroom. Now, the matter is being heard on a day-to-day basis.

During the hearing on Wednesday, petitioners argued that display of religion through attire shows diversity and singling out hijab violates fundamental rights. "Ghoongats (veils) are permitted, bangles are permitted. Why only hijab?" asked the petitioners’ lawyers as they sought an order allowing Muslim girls to attend classes again wearing hijab.

Senior advocate Ravi Varma Kumar, appearing for petitioners, said, "Why is the government picking on hijab alone and making this hostile discrimination? This is only because of her religion that the petitioner is being sent out of the classroom. A bindi wearing girl is not sent out. A bangle wearing girl is not. A Christian wearing a cross is not touched. Why only these girls? This is a violation of Article 15 of the Constitution."

Meanwhile, Senior advocate Yusuf Muchhala said that Muslim students are being put to Hobsons’ choice - a free choice in which only one thing is actually offered. They are being asked to choose between faith and education. This violates fundamental rights, Advocate Mucchala said. He added, "The purpose of the Education Act is to promote harmony and not to create dissent among students."