Now, Subrahmanya College bans hijab on campus

Mangalore, October 2: Close on the heels of widespread protest against ban on hijab imposed by Sri Ramakunjeshwara First Grade College in Uppinagady, another prestigious college managed by a temple in Dakshina Kannada district has banned burqa on its campus.

The controversial decision by the Kukke Shri Subrahmanyeshwara College, run by Shri Kukke Subrahmanya temple administration at Subrahmanya in Sullia taluk has reignited the debate over Muslim girls' right to wear dress which covers their complete body except face and palms till wrist.

Justifying the decision, the office-bearers of temple administration said that it is duty of every good education institutions to maintain a dress code. “In order to ensure equality and discipline in the institution, we had to take this decision. All students must wear uniform”, said an office-bearer.

He also criticised the outside interference in college matters. “It is unfortunate that some political forces are trying to create unrest in the college”, he said.

Expressing frustration over the new decision, a Muslim girl of the same college said on condition of anonymity that she was not ready to expose parts of her body on the campus. “The ban is shocking,” she said.

Wafa Sultana, a student of Law from Mangalore said that though the college was run by a temple, it needs not to go against the Indian constitution, which ensured religious freedom to all the citizens.

She said that these educational institutions should learn from colleges run by Islamic organisations. “Hira Women's College near Thokkottu is managed by Shanthi Educational Trust under the aegis of Jamaath-e-Islami Hind. Though this college has made full body covering uniform compulsory for all the students, it has given a special permission to non-Muslim students to dress according to their wish,” she said.

“Muslim girls don't demand permission to wear black burqa. They just want to cover their body completely with the same uniform. However, education institutions in this region are indeed imposing ban on hijab under the pretext of dress code. We should respond to it by building our own institutions in large numbers”, said Ashoora a BBM student from Mangalore.

Former Zilla Panchayat member and Congress leader Bharath Mundodi, warned of protests if the college does not withdraw the ban in 15 days. "It is an undemocratic and objectionable move," he said.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajarang Dal and Hindu Jagaran Vedike have submitted a memorandum to the temple administration, urging them not to dilute the ban. “If Muslim girls want to wear burqa let them wear in their own institutions and not in a college run by our temple”, said a Vedike leader.

Follow up: Allow Muslim girls to wear burqa on campus: DC tells Subrahmanya College