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
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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Media Release
November 24,2025

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Sharjah, UAE: Ayisha Basheer Esra, a talented young writer hailing from Aramboor in Dakshina Kannada’s Sullia taluk, marked a significant milestone in her burgeoning literary career with the launch of her debut novel, The Betrayal of the Kingdom, at the Sharjah International Book Fair. The prestigious event, recognized as the world’s largest book fair, provided a fitting stage for the unveiling of Esra’s work.

The official release ceremony was conducted by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director of the Religious Affairs Office of the Sharjah Government and a distinguished member of the royal family, underscoring the significance of Esra’s achievement. Mrs. Lini Shivaprasad, Principal of GEMS Millennium School, Sharjah, had the honor of receiving the first copy of the novel.

The event was graced by the presence of numerous distinguished guests, reflecting the widespread recognition of Esra’s literary talent and the anticipation surrounding her debut novel. Among the notable attendees were Syed Panakkad Munawwarali Shihab Tangal, Dr. Mariam Al Shenasi, the UAE’s renowned writer and Head of Dar Al Yasmin Publications, Dr. K. K. N. Kurup, Retired Vice Chancellor of Calicut University and Historian, Sharjah Businessman Shamsuddin Bin Mohideen, Nizar Talangara, President of the Sharjah Indian Association, V. T Salim, Director of Silver Home Real Estate, Munir Al Wafa, MD of Lipi Publication Akbar, and other esteemed individuals.

At the remarkably young age of eight, Esra has already established herself as a prolific writer, authoring and publishing collections of short stories in addition to her newly released full-length novel. Her dedication to writing and her exceptional talent have positioned her as one of the youngest authors to achieve such literary success. 

Esra is the daughter of Basheer and Haseena, residents of Aramboor, Sullia, and currently a student at Sharjah’s GEMS Millennium School. Her early accomplishments serve as an inspiration to aspiring young writers and a testament to the power of nurturing creativity from a young age.

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