Karnataka colleges ban hijab, PFI alleges it’s “violation of religious freedom”

Bengaluru: Amid a raging controversy over hijab norms at various Karnataka campuses, Islamist organisation the Popular Front of India (PFI) on Monday alleged that the colleges in the state were violating religious freedom of Muslims.

PFI General Secretary Nasir Pasha issued a statement saying the colleges were creating needless controversy over the hijab as one of the colleges denied entry to classrooms if hijab was on.

Several hijab-clad girl students were denied entry into their classroom at a government college in Udupi district that prohibited use of the head scarf inside classrooms. They were told they would be allowed inside only after they took their hijabs off.

The college authorities clarified that the hijab ban is only inside the classrooms, not on the premises.

Pasha said female students enjoy the right to wear what they want and it is difficult to bring about equality in what they wear.

He said instead of creating controversies over dress codes, it will be better to focus on value-based and quality education.

He said dress codes are mandatorily implemented only up to SSLC (secondary school). Students of PU and Degree colleges have freedom to wear any dress they want.

Female Muslim students have been attending classes adhering to the existing policy on clothing at college level," Pasha said. (UNI)