Mangalore: Restriction on Wearing Scarf is Unhealthy - Human Rights
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Aug 24: Justice S R Nayak, chairperson, State Human Rights Commission, opined that the issue of wearing scarves in colleges is a matter of religion and it has to be debated on a wide spectrum with scholars expressing their views.
Speaking to media persons, Justice Nayak said that the issue of wearing scarf or ‘burkha’ is a matter of religion as it is a religious practice. “Religious freedom has been guaranteed by the Indian constitution where it not only addresses merely matters of doctrine and beliefs pertaining to religion but also its practices”, he said.
Referring to the disturbances of communal harmony in the coastal districts, Justice Nayak said that the restriction on wearing scarf and ‘burkha’ in Sri Venkatarama Swamy College in Bantwal and government college in Uppinangady are unhealthy and not conducive to development. “If it is repeated it will lead to the tearing of the secular fabric of our society and create disharmony in the lives of the people of various faiths and religious denominations”, he added.
He said that he has ordered the additional chief secretary of the home department, principal secretary of collegiate education, inspector general of police (western range) and deputy commissioner of the district, through the commission, to submit their reports within six weeks describing the steps and measures to promote social harmony among all religious groups.
Justice Nayak is in the city on an official programme including receiving grievances from the public on violations of human rights.
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