The students said that they would not attend physical classes till the decision of the court (Representational)
Mangaluru:
Around 60 final year students of the Government G Shankar Memorial Women’s First Class Degree College in Udupi returned home on Thursday after being asked by the college authorities to remove their hijab.
Though the Muslim girl students argued with the officials saying that the chief minister has clarified that uniform is not mandatory in degree colleges, the officials said that it is the college development committee which has framed the rules.
The girls, who insisted that they would not attend classes without covering their heads, said hijab and education were important to them. They also wanted the college committee to inform in writing whether the state government had decided to introduce dress code in degree colleges.
A student talking to reporters said that the CM has made it clear that the hijab rule does not apply in degree colleges. “When we asked about it, they say only the decision of the college committee applies here,” she said.
She said that hijab is a part of their life and they have been wearing it in classes. “It cannot be taken away when someone suddenly asks you to do so. We have asked the college to organize online classes for us,” said the student.
The students said that they would not attend the physical classes till the High Court takes a decision on the issue.
Classes are being conducted smoothly in the college. Police force has been deployed in the college premises to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, Udupi Additional Superintendent of Police Siddalingappa told the media that the situation was peaceful in all colleges in the district on the second day of reopening.
He said Muslim girl students who wanted to remove the hijab were allowed to attend classes at the government-run G Shankar College. MGM College, which had declared a holiday till today, will reopen for exams on Friday.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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