Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Feb 8: The controversy over the issue of wearing of Hijabs by some girl students, and the male students registering their opposition by wearing saffron shawls, has been spreading to new territories with each passing day. In the middle of this, two girl students of Bhandarkar’s Arts and Science College here have approached the high court (HC), naming local MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty as the defendant. These students have alleged that the college has restricted their entry with Hijabs into the college premises at the instance of the MLA.

Suha Maulana, third year BBA student of the college represented by her mother Beebi Sara, and first year BBA student Aisha Aleefa Kausar represented by her mother Rahamath, have petitioned the HC. In addition to MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, these girl students have named the registrar of Mangalore University and the principal of Bhandarkar's College as defendants.

The girls have approached the HC seeking instructions to the college management to allow the girl students to enter the college without imposing any pre-conditions or restrictions, and have sought directions to Mangalore University registrar accordingly. They also have requested the high court to question Halady under what sections of law he has interfered with the college management and question him on propagating his political agenda.

They have also pleaded with the high court and consider the actual facts relating to the case and circumstances leading to the current development, and sought relief that upholds the conscience which the HC might deem fit.

By way of interim relief, they have urged the HC to direct the Mangalore University registrar to allow the girl students to enter their classes duly wearing the Hijabs on their heads without showing any favour or discrimination. They have also sought attendance for the period they might stay out of classes in this academic year because of the discrimination shown by the academic staff, to uphold justice and equality.

They have pointed out that there was no dispute since they got admissions in the college. On February 3, they say, the principal all of a sudden issued instructions to the effect that no one wearing Hijab should enter the college. "They claimed that they have a government order restraining us from entering the college," the students claimed. They also mentioned that when the parents of the students met the principal and the staff and questioned them on this issue, the principal clarified that this step has been undertaken as per the directions of MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty.