Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Feb 16: Hijab controversy raised its head again in a college in Gangolli on Monday February 14. Girl students of the college who came with Hijabs on were refused entry into classes.

Girl students of the PU college section of Saraswathi Vidyalaya at Gangolli had, in violation of the decision taken on Saturday on the issue of wearing the Hijab and the high court order, came to the college on Monday morning, duly wearing their Hijabs. When the girl students were sighted wearing Hijabs inside the classrooms, a dispute arose. There was verbal friction between the principal of the college and the students.

Hindu students who saw that some girl students were seated inside the classes with their Burqas and Hijabs, prepared to hold a protest by wearing saffron shawls. The college principal issued strict instructions to the girl students seated inside the classes to remove their Hijabs. The girl students refused to obey the instructions. Students of other religions, agitating against the principal's instruction, boycotted classes and held protest supporting Hijab in the college premises.

The principal clarified that as per the government instruction and school managing committee decision, wearing of school uniforms is mandatory. He stressed that people who violate the government order and come to the college with Hijabs or saffron shawls, will not be allowed to enter the classes. He therefore told the students to obey the government order. Still, students from other communities stood inside the college compound without entering the classes and continued with their protest. Hindu students complied with the principal’s instructions and attended classes.

As the controversy showed signs of worsening, local Jamaat leaders who held talks with the college management and the principal, tried to assuage the feelings and calm down the people involved, but their effort failed to bear fruits. Meeting held with the parents of the girl students concerned also failed to have any positive effect. Gangolli police sub-inspector Nanja Naik, tried to convince the students about the need to obey the government order.

Sources said that notices were issued by the college to girl students wearing HIjabs and students of other faiths to wear uniforms, reminding them that they will not be allowed to enter classes if they do not follow the college policy on uniforms. The principal and the college management have said that uniforms depicting any religious symbols will not be allowed and as per the government order, students wearing the uniforms alone will be permitted to enter classes. They said that once the court order is received, steps will be taken as per the fresh government order.

It is said that students belonging to other faiths have insisted that the girls should be allowed inside with Hijabs but the college has stayed firm on its stand.

Byndoor police inspector Santosh Kaikini, visited Gangolli and reviewed the situation. Police presence around the college has been beefed up as a precautionary measure by deploying additional personnel.