HAVERI — Fresh tension broke out at the CG Bellad Government First Grade College at Akki Alur of Karnataka’s Haveri district after a group of Hindu students walked into classrooms wearing saffron shawls to object to Muslim girls attending college in hijabs.
The incident has revived the debate on dress codes and religious freedom in Karnataka, a debate that has affected many Muslim students since the hijab ban brought in by the previous BJP government.
The protest began on Friday morning, when a few male students arrived wearing saffron shawls around their necks. They said they were doing this because some Muslim girls continued to wear hijabs inside the classroom. One of the protesting boys said, “We have complained many times, but the college has not taken action. If they can wear hijabs, then we will also wear saffron shawls.”
College principal Veeresh Kamur said the college had made it clear that students must wear the prescribed uniform inside classrooms, though exemptions were allowed in special cases. He confirmed that the issue had come up earlier as well. “This matter was raised two months ago. At that time, we spoke to both sides and the problem settled down. But again today, when a girl entered the class wearing a hijab, some boys came in with saffron shawls,” he said.
He added that the college would now hold a joint meeting with staff and parents. “We will speak to everyone and try to find a solution. Students wear different clothes when they come from home, but inside the classroom there is a rule. If someone has a genuine reason, we allow an exemption,” he said.
Muslim girls at the college told local reporters that they were shocked by the protest. One of the students said, “We are only covering our heads. We are not disturbing anyone. We come here to study, not to fight. The shawl protest made us feel unsafe.”
Another girl added that hijab is part of her faith and does not affect her studies. “We respect the college rules. We only expect respect for our faith as well,” she said.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
