Puttur, July 21: Hundreds of students belonging to various colleges led by Hijab clad girls on Friday laid siege to Sri Ramakunjeshwara First Grade College at Ramakunja in Puttur taluk, demanding education institution to withdraw the alleged communally motivated ban against headscarf.
The fight for 'constitutional right' of Muslim girls took a new turn when the students of 10 other colleges extended their support to the agitators.
The main demand of the protesters was that Muslim girls in the college be allowed to wear the shawl of their uniform as headscarf inside classrooms. The protestors submitted a letter to the college management demanding that hijab be allowed, attendance for protesting students, and tuitions for classes they missed. “We have told them that a definite reply should be given within four days, else we will continue the protest,” said a student of the college.
However, the management remained firm about not bending its rules. “There has been no change in our stance. Hijab will not be allowed. The management will take a decision later on demands related to attendance and remedial classes,” said Vasanth Rao, principal.
Meanwhile, many Muslim students attended classes fearing loss of attendance. Mr. Rao said 39 of the 107 protesting students returned to classes and agreed to “conform to rules”.
Students started protesting against the college's dress code, which does not allow girls to wear headscarf in classrooms on July 12.
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