Bhatkal, Feb 26: Communal politics has already entered college campuses in Uttara Kannada, as the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) launched a ‘saffron shawl agitation’ demanding a ban on hijab.
The open support to this 'Kesari Shawl Abhiyan' by hardline BJP leader and Uttara Kannada MP Anant Kumar Hegde has added fuel to the fire. A fortnight ago, students from a private degree college in Sirsi began wearing saffron shawls to class, alleging that girls from the Muslim community were dressed in hijab (headscarf) and burqa. The students demanded that the college administration implement the uniform dress code among students and not allow anybody to display their religious identity in classrooms.
Anant Kumar came out in open support of the ABVP, saying that some radical Muslim elements were deliberately pressuring girls of their community to wear hijab and burqa in class. He alleged that it was to create divisions among students of different faiths. After this, the dispute spread to some other colleges in Sirsi and a few ABVP supporter girls too joined in by wearing saffron shawls. The issue was later resolved by the intervention of the police, and the college administration declaring that all students should enter class only in uniform.
After this, other colleges in the district too witnessed similar incidents, with the ABVP blaming radical elements behind the hijab and burqa. "A year ago, the same students were attending classes in uniform. What has suddenly prompted them to come to college wearing burqa?" asked Akash Naik of the ABVP.
But Muslim girls deny this and say that they keep their faces open even if they wear the hijab and burqa. "If we follow our religious customs, how does it offend the ABVP?" questioned Heena, a student.
The problem has now spread to First Grade Government College in Bhatkal. Here, the main allegation of the ABVP is that woman lecturers and girls belonging to the Muslim community wear burqa and hijab in class, and that they would stop wearing saffron shawls only if the other group agrees to come in uniform.
This was denied by the college principal. "Lecturers and students wear hijab but not burqa, as alleged by the ABVP," said Bhageerathi Naik, in-charge principal of the college. Bhageerathi said that there is no dress code for lecturers and it is difficult to impose it in the absence of any provision.
Bhatkal, a communally-sensitive town, is sitting on a tinder box. In the past, silly incidents have turned into major communal conflagrations. But both groups are not ready for any compromise. ABVP has made it clear that it would continue the Kesari Shawl Abhiyan in different colleges, unless the administration applies the uniform dress code. Most of the college administrations appear helpless on this sensitive issue.
Comments
If you will check in Hindu school Ganapathi photos or shiva photos. If you will check in Christian schools, Mary or Yesu photos. Also Christian sisters wearing hijab.? Even this, all religious student studying in all schools. no body is asking about their photos or religion.
This is our beauty \Vividatheyalli yekathe\"...
Why these goons are only targeting Muslims? just because, these people are purchased by politicians... o people of India....just politics... they are using poor youths to fight each other for vote bank.
Every religious(Hindu, Christian, Islam) asking their women to cover your whole body. this is our Indian culture."
If anyone MLA is reading this news...kindly comment if you have dare or resign your job. what is your action against this goon?....
SO BJP doesn't want religious identity in classrooms? Will it now stop students from wearing the bindi, nama or sacred thread as well? Oh, only applies to Muslims i guess
It looks like Hegde is a friend of Donald Trump....doesn't understand the importance of burqa.....India is a secular country and every citizen has the right to follow his or her religious duties and responsibilities....these so called MP does not have any right to dictate anyone.....
this reflects cheap mentality of coward RSS goons. They never wanted India united. they always wanted to divide country on religion lines.
And this is only a propaganda by uncultured Chaddis to discourage Muslim girls to discontinue their education bcos they just can't tolerate Muslim community prospering
But nobody can snatch our freedom to practice religion.
this reflects cheap mentality of coward RSS goons. They never wanted India united. they always wanted to divide country on religion lines.
And this is only a propaganda by uncultured Chaddis to discourage Muslim girls to discontinue their education bcos they just can't tolerate Muslim community prospering
But nobody can snatch our freedom to practice religion.
Mr. Anant kumar what if any of Muslim Colleges ask Hindu girls to wear Burkha?
From the appearance make out what type of students are these. Why this rss and their mp scare about Muslims womens scarf and Burqa.
This agenda will never going to succeed nor their hindutva policy. India is belong to all religion not of desdh drohi rss and chaddi. Let them to wear
saffron shawl and chaddi. Till when they will wear watch and see.
When the knowledge of Creator (Who gave us this life) is WEAK. people act arrogantly and think they will live here forever and the young are mindwashed to hatred with money and fake desires......
The young should think themselves rather depending their view on the hate mongers.. who want ruin the life of the young people of mangalore and elsewhere.
After all these protests, anything happened ???? ..... Nothing will happen .....BARKING DOGS NEVER BITE ..... These Barking dogs should be shifted to Singapore, where people can have a good lunch ....
Follow your religion, did anyone opposed? , as always sangis spreading rip, karnataka govt dont have guts to stop them ,need leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan .
Where is congress MP, MLA, CM?....Why no arrest this goons...? there is no uniform implemented in Karnataka by Govt..
If Govt. cannot arrest this goons...Resign you job.!!!
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