As more colleges in Karnataka continue to ban the entry of Hijab-wearing girls into campus, the Karnataka government on Saturday issued an order banning clothes “which disturb equality, integrity and public order” in educational institutes.
Invoking 133 (2) of the Karnataka Education Act-1983, which demands a uniform style of dress for students the order said that they have to wear what the College Development Committee or the appellate committee of the administrative board of the pre-university colleges chooses.
“The private school administration can choose a uniform of their choice,” the government order said.
“In the event of the administrative committee not selecting a uniform, clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order should not be worn,” the order added.
The order came amidst opposition to Hijab by Hindutva groups and Hindu students in a number of colleges in Udupi and Mangalore. Without giving a rationale for their opposition, the Hindutva groups have been instigating Hindu students to wear saffron-coloured scarves which have sparked chaos.
The colleges instead of taking action against the students shut doors to the Muslim girl students who wear hijab.
The girls have refused to give in to pressures and have stood up for their rights. Their defiant protests have attracted massive media attention as rights groups across the country have come out in their support, urging the government to let them have access to education without having to remove their hijabs.
Throughout this week, authorities in several colleges in Kundapur and nearby areas have asked students wearing hijab to stay out of the college campus. This includes the Government PU College, Bhandarkars’ Arts and Science College, Dr BB Hegde First Grade College and RN Shetty Composite PU College in Kundapura, Government PU College in Byndoor and Government PU College in Navunda.
Congress which is in opposition in the state has condemned the hijab ban calling it ‘inhuman and Unconstitutional’.
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court will hear petitions filed by five girls studying in a government pre-university college in Udupi, questioning hijab restrictions.
CFI condemns state government
Meanwhile, the Campus Front of India has condemned the state government calling its stance “dictatorial”. “Despite the writ petition being pending in the High Court, the government has taken a dictatorial and hateful stance posing a challenge to constitutional values. Any order from such an unconstitutional government that does not trust the judiciary, cannot be accepted,” CFI Karnataka president, Athavulla Punjalkatte said.
Related
Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
