Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Aug 28: Students, parents and activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) protested in front of the Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Valachil campus near here on Saturday, August 28 against the college administration for prohibiting Muslim girl students to wear hijab (headscarf) and boy students from sporting beards.

Protesters said that the first-year Muslim girl students were not allowed to wear hijab in the college, boys were stopped from sporting long beards and Muslims students were not allowed to offer Friday prayers. They alleged that such rules are an attempt by college authorities to curb religious rights.

PFI activists alleged that college principal Shabaraya and lecturer Subrahmanyam insisted that students did not wear hijab. They also said that management levied heavy fines on students.

A first-year BPharma student said while seniors were allowed to wear the hijab, her classmates were barred from wearing it. The administration said that in declaration signed by students during first-year admission agreed to the dress code on campus. The code restricts head scarves, jeans and T-shirts in classrooms, examination halls, office and library.

A Srinivas Rao, vice-president, A Shama Rao Foundation and Srinivas Group of Colleges, said the rule banning headscarf among Muslim women students was implemented as the Foundation believed in a 'uniform dress code'. The administration asked students to offer prayers during lunch time or free time.

The PFI leaders later held discussions with the principal, management and parents. The management said that the issues will be resolved within 15 days after hey hold discussion with concerned.