Targeted by college authorities, hijab clad girl pledges to fight for her right

Mangalore, August 11: A 17-year old Muslim girl, who was literally threatened by her College management and principal against entering in to the class with Hijab, even after receiving a hefty fees from her, has decided to struggle for her constitutional rights.

Hadia, who had managed to complete the first year of the PUC at Jain College Moodbidri, despite the institution suddenly imposed 'unconstitutional rules' forcing Muslim girls to remove their head scarf. However, now she has firmly decided to fight for 'freedom of dress'.

On Thursday, she along with her mother Hina approached DK Deputy Commissioner N S Channappa Gowda requesting him to intervene into the issue and direct to college authorities to not to violate constitutional right of a girl.

Ms Hadia, who is now in second year of PUC, aims to become interior designer. However, she feels extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed to sit in the class with her head uncovered and her forearms bare in front of boys and male teachers.

She recalls that the college authorities did not utter a single word about her Hijb when she joined the partially aided college last year.

“A month later, they announced during the assembly that students would not be allowed to cover their heads, wear full sleeves dress. This announcement was a direct target against the Muslim girls, who used to wrap the dupatta of the uniform in a way that covered their hair and neck, and falls across their chest, according to the Islamic customs” she said.

After this sudden announcement, Hadia was emotionally hurt and forced to stay away from College for more than a month because she was denied permission to cover her head.

“I had never violated the norms of uniform, as I covered my head with the uniform dupatta and did not wear a burkha,” says the girl.

She and her guardians made several requests to the college authorities to allow her to cover her hair with the dupatta of the uniform, but in vain.

After a long gap she attended the class without her head covered to answer her examinations and completed the year.

“This year I attended class with Hijab, as I did not want to lose my identity anymore. Moreover, the Indian constitution has guaranteed freedom to practice one's religion without hurting anybody. However, the authorities asked me to go out, apparently violating my rights,” she said.

“Last year I had approached the then DC V Ponnuraj asking for justice. He had clarified that the college administration cannot force a girl to remove her head scarf and promised to speak with college authorities. But, things had never changed after his promise,” recalls Hadia.

Mr Channappa Gowda too promised to “speak” with college authorities, she said, adding that she will decide about her next step after knowing DC's action.

Meanwhile justifying the decision of college authorities, In-charge Principal Keshav Bhat, said that using uniform dupatta as hijab is violation of uniform norms. “If we allow her to attend classes wearing Hijab, other Muslim girls may demand permission to wear burkha” he said.

While contacted Director of the Department of Pre-University Education Rashmi V Mahesh said the department had no views on the subject. She said if a student complained that the “freedom of dress” was being “proscribed”, then the department would look into it. “Freedom of dress should be left to the student,” Ms. Mahesh said.