Puttur: Scarf Row - KFD-Led Students Picket Ramakunjeshwar College
Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (RD)
Puttur, Jul 20: The Muslim students of different colleges across Dakshina Kannada district on Friday July 20 tried to lay siege to Ramakunjeshwar First Grade College, Ramakunja near Uppinangady, in order to express solidarity with the agitating Muslim students over the scarf issue.
Though the students had been protesting for a week urging the college authorities to allow them to wear scarves in the classrooms, the college authorities did not respond favourably and instead stuck to their rules. The authorities convinced the agitating students and their parents about the set rules and advised them to adhere to it. Accordingly, nearly 30 percent of the students attended the classes on Thursday.
However, not satisfied with the development, the members of Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) embarked on ‘Ramakunja Chalo’ to support the agitating students, with backing from students of other colleges.
Only a few policemen were deployed at the spot, as it was expected to be a minor protest. However, students descended from all corners, out-numbering the policemen by a big margin.
KFD-led students arrived in buses, tempos, and other means of transport at Ramakunja under the banner of Mangalore University All College Students Union and sought the permission of circle inspector Y Jagdish to hold a protest march. He insisted on a peaceful march till the main gate of the college and said that under no circumstances should they enter the campus.
Thousands of angry students threatened to jump the boundary wall of the college campus. The college authorities were prepared to face the consequences and were in constant touch with the district police chief.
Amidst the slogans, ASP Anuchet ordered the agitating students to retreat as laying seize to any college is illegal and also since prior approval was not sought by the student leaders. The agitators retreated after presenting a memorandum to the college authorities at the gate.
Addressing media persons, SP Abhishek Goyal said that legal action will be taken against those who organized the mass stir without obtaining prior approval from the district police.
The college authorities clarified that the dress code has been in force in order to maintain equality and they will not budge to any demands based on religious reasons.
Uppinangady sub-inspector Rvi B S and Sampya sub-inspector Nanda Kumar led the policemen on security duty.