St Agnes College firm on dress code, says a few students were ‘instigated’ by CFI

Harsha Raj Gatty | coastaldigest.com news network
June 29, 2018

Mangaluru, Jun 29: Refusing to yield to the demands of the protesters, city-based St Agnes College has made it clear that the dress code was already specified, accepted by student and their parents during admission and there won’t be exception.

Earlier this week, a few Muslim students of the college under the aegis of the Campus Front of India, had staged a protest to exert pressure on the college authorities to allow them to wear headscarf as part of hijab inside classroom.

According to the college authorities, the protesting student had admitted to them that they were instigated by 'strangers' from the CFI to voice against the rules and norms of the college.

Speaking to the media, Principal of St Agnes College, Sr Dr Jeswina AC also clarified no action were taken against the protesting students, besides summoning their parents.

"None of the students were suspended, however we have asked them to give a 'explanation' in writing in the presence of their parents since the protest was carried out without prior permission," she said.

Dr Jeswina also added that following the protest, a lot of false propaganda have been floated against the college by certain instigators. 

"None of the students were touched or had their headscarf removed by any of our faculty. Neither we have taken their signature in blank papers, these rumours are absolutely baseless to malign the image of the college," she said.

Questioned on the religious headgear worn by Catholic nuns at the Educational institute, Dr Jeswina said that they allowed it, since it was a 'Uniform' for them and not an circumstantial/occasional attire. They have to wear it throughout day to night, she said.

Meanwhile, Naureen, Vice President of St Agnes Student Council, who is also a Muslim, said that the female students were instigated by a Whatsapp group 'Justice for Scarf and Namaz'. "Few days back even I was added to this group along with other Agnes students, but I did not appreciate the conversation and the context. Subsequently I  exited from the group. However my number was anonymously circulated I have been receiving wielded threats from an unidentified male from Saudi Arabia," she said.

Dr Jeswina added that in concern of Naureen's security they plan to file a complaint and share the number with Cyber cell. Meanwhile, the College authorities has already been provided round the clock security following the incident. 

Speaking to the media, Anees Sheikh, the father of a student, who had taken part in the protest, said that his daughter was unnecessarily dragged to the issue by CFI. "My daughter was just called by this group to discuss the matter outside college gate. But when the media arrived in the scene, she was pressurised to make a statement by CFI. Clearly instigated by them, my daughter made certain statements. At this age it is easy for children to fall for pressure of such groups. The matter is blown out of proportion, whereas I certainly feel that this is an internal matter and it can be resolved by the school management and administration," he said.

Also Read: 

Agnes Hijab row: Muslim girl claims ‘threat’ from Gulf; father slams CFI for ‘using’ his daughter

Mangaluru college downplays hijab row, says students were aware of dress code before admission

Mangaluru: Burkha-clad CFI girls protest in front St Agnes College over hijab ban

Comments

Navaz
 - 
Sunday, 1 Jul 2018

Why the double standard, when nun student can wear her headscarf because her religious choice, but Muslim student can't, let them wear a headscarf, by the way how about muslim student wear a same uniform as your nuns wearing in collage, Is is allowed ? Please clarify

Abdullah
 - 
Saturday, 30 Jun 2018

Dont give charity to these double standard nuns

Mohammed
 - 
Saturday, 30 Jun 2018

It’s very easy to pressurize student and their parents by the college, by threatening parents and student ruin their life by rusticating the student. As we have seen in “3 idiots” movie.

Now it Looks like college want to DIVERT THE ISSUE FROM HIJAB TO DEFAMING CFI. 

In press meet we can clearly make out the principal is acting in very submissive way, acting like VICTIM.

But WHY “PRINCIPAL IS DEFENDING HER RIGHT TO WEAR SCARF & SAME TIME STUDENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR THE SCARF….”  Why college has made such double standard rule in first place…?

You can THREATEN STUDENTs & THEIR PARENTS…. But your Hypocrisy is EXPOSED anyway….

Roshan Deen
 - 
Saturday, 30 Jun 2018

First of all please let me know in which version of the Bible it says not to marry and become Priests and Nuns. There is no priesthood Islam, so men and woman all have to follow its teaching. When Muslim woman wearing Hijab it is oppression But when Nun wear it is decoration. Why Priest are not made to cover their head like Nuns?.”.Read the below verse of Bible and know who is dominating who; If a woman does not cover her head, let her hair be cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.… A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.…( 1 CORINTHIANS 11:6-9)

Nizanuddin
 - 
Saturday, 30 Jun 2018

if nuns wear hijab its religious Muslims wear it is fancy dress?  Hijab is part body women body.

Abdulbaseer
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

J C Lobo.......I agree with your comments. why this difference ?

Naren, its better you dont poke in b**dy nose here. this is matter between a bunch of bonafide indian citizens and the management of college, fighting for religous freedom 

 

give your suggestions to people like pumpwell, etc

Naren Kotian
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

Congrats to Naureen. Muslim girls like you are asset of the nation. Don’t hesitate to go and file complaint against those who issue you threats. They are jihadists. People like them had tried to kill Malala too. I am sure that you will face more threats in future from thirbokis. But believe me, the more threats you receive, the more you become stronger. 
Jai Hind

MK and NM
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

We were about to convince the college management to go soft on Muslim students and allow them to wear headscarf. But these protesters played spoilsport and politicized the issue. Now, muslim students of St Agnes college are extremely embarrassed because of the protest and subsequent developments. 

J C Lobo
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

Agree everything. But why differentiate between hijab of a Christian woman and Hijab of a Muslim woman? If headscarf is banned then Christian nuns/sisters also should not be allowed to cover their head.

Reader
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

Someone please convince this principal madam that Hijab is not occasion dress. Muslim girls supposed to wear it all the day. 

Mangalorean
 - 
Friday, 29 Jun 2018

Doodh ka doodh… paani ka paani

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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News Network
December 3,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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