Mangalore, July 16, 2012 : The parents of the students, who protested against the hijab ban in Shri Ramakunjeshwara First Grade College in Ramakunja in Uppinangady, said that they are going to support their children at a meeting held on Sunday to resolve the issue.
Mohammed Thufail, president of the state unit of the Campus Front of India (CFI), said that parents have decided to meet the district administration, the vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, and the registrar on Monday and request them to amicably solve the issue.
Ashita, Thufail’s sister, is a II B.Com. student at Shri Ramakunjeshwara First Grade College. The students had gone on strike on Thursday and continued protesting till Saturday. Thufail said that they would move the court if a solution cannot be found amicably.
The management of the college is equally adamant; and according to Principal Vasanth Rao, girl students will not be allowed to wear headscarves on the campus.
Thufail, however, points out that the college prospectus requires students to wear the uniforms provided to them and does not state that shawls, even those provided with the uniform, should not be worn over the head. He clarified that female students are willing to use the shawls provided with the uniform as headscarves and are not particular about being allowed to wear black scarves.
The college security guards prevented students wearing shawls, which were provided with the uniforms, to enter the college gates on Saturday.