No entry for headscarves?

A Muslim girl alleges she is being discriminated on religious grounds while college authorities refuse to budge

No entry for headscarves?

A Muslim girl alleges she is being discriminated on religious grounds while college authorities refuse to budge

Ayesha Asmin, a 1st year degree student from a prestigious college in Bantwal was warned by her principal to chose between studies and religion when she wore a headscarf to college.u00a0

Sidelined: Ayesha and her father B Mohammed say that the college principal refused them a chance to speak but insisted they follow 'rules' (Pic/Dayanand Kukkaje)

She is the daughter of B Mohammed, a resident of Nehru Nagar near Panemangalur. Two weeks ago, the principal had warned her not to wear a headscarf and since then she had stopped attending classes. She also said that due to this discrimination, she lost one academic year.u00a0

u00a0After completing her 2nd PU from the Islamic Women's School, Ayesha joined SVS College. Initially, she wore a 'burkha' while attending 1st B Com classes that commenced this July 11. But, on the advice of her college mates, she began to wear 'salwar kameez' and a scarf to cover her head.u00a0

u00a0It is alleged that she was sternly warned by college student leader Bharat to adhere to the dress code adopted by the rest of the girls in the institution. However, since she decided to ignore this threat, she received verbal abuses from other students on campus.

Ayesha has also alleged that the college principal Sitaram Mayya insisted on meeting her father and that they were asked to follow the rules without being given a chance to speak.

Further, the college managing committee has supported the principal and upheld his decision to bar the girl from attending classes if she disobeys the headscarf rule.

"Had the college authorities informed us of such restrictions, we could have sought admission in another college. It is an injustice to pressurise one to follow general dress code after paying donation and college fees," says Ayesha.

However, principal Mayya defended his stance saying that if students of various religions follow their own dress code, it would create a furore on the campus and that in the 41 years of the college's history, no student has attended classes wearing a scarf.

Coming to her rescue, Jalal, taluk president, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) says that they will take this matter up as injustice has been done to a student from the minority community. They will also seek the support from the Gulf Islamic Organisation in this regard.

Ibrahim Chendady, trustee, Anugraha Education Trust, says they will register a complaint with the Women's Commission. They also plan tou00a0 garner support from University authorities andu00a0u00a0 social welfare and voluntary organisations to seek justice in the matter.u00a0

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