Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)

Shivamogga, Feb 4: The controversy over sticking to the dress code stipulated by the college gave rise to tense moments at Sahyadri Art and Commerce College of Kuvempu University here on Friday February 3. Students of both the communities connected with the issue thereafter boycotted their classes and staged protest in favour and against dress code.

The dress code for college students had been enforced two years back, and the students had fallen in line without any problem. However, trouble started after the principal of the college, Gowdar Shivannavar, asked the concerned to bar entry of students not conforming to rules into Ambedkar Jnanadarshana Campaign programme held in the auditorium of the college on Thursday February 2. He left instructions to the effect that students not sticking to dress code and those not possessing identity cards should not be allowed into the programme, it is said. This gave rise to anger among some students.

Relying on these instructions, students owing allegiance to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad demanded to bar entry of girl students wearing burqa to the programme. They said they would wear saffron shawls till the burqas are banned from college premises.

In the midst of this controversy, in a sudden development, registrar of Kuvempu University issued an order keeping the dress code in abeyance. This again gave rise to anger among ABVP-supported students. Hundreds of students wearing saffron shawls on Friday boycotted classes, and held protest demanding enforcement of dress code and barring of burqas inside college.

In protest against this demand, Muslim girl students walked out of their classes, duly supported by Muslim student organizations. After the two groups engaged in war of words in the college premises, tension mounted.

District superintendent of police, Abhinav Ashok, who rushed to the spot with a large contingent of police personnel, controlled the situation. The factions of the student community continued with their demand in favour of and against dress code. Later, all were sent out of the college premises.

Clarifying the current position, registrar of the university, Bhojya Naik, said that dress code is not compulsory in any of the units of the university including colleges. However, he insisted that students need to necessarily possess identity cards before entering the college premises.