Hijab vs Saffron shawls: Row erupts after girl students denied entry in Karnataka college

New Delhi: Hijab, a dress primarily worn by Muslim women, started trending on Twitter today after some girl students were reportedly denied entry in pre-university college in Karnataka’s Udupi district.

On Wednesday, a group of boy students studying at a government pre-university college came to the campus wearing saffron shawls to protest against the hijab in Bhadravathi of the Shivamogga district.

They said we will drop shawls if the hijab is banned. Meanwhile, the principal MG Umashankar said, ”Everyone is equal at college when it comes to the uniform, no discrimination in it.”

Karnataka | Students protested wearing saffron stoles allegedly against certain students for wearing hijabs to classes at Govt First Grade College, Bhadravati, yesterday

Everyone is equal at college when it comes to the uniform, no discrimination in it: Principal MG Umashankar pic.twitter.com/PcsBmk4yLu

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2022

Video of girl students who were denied entry in Kundapura:

#WATCH | Udupi Hijab row, Karnataka: Students wearing hijab being denied entry at Bhandarkars’ College Kundapura pic.twitter.com/JNOqk3LeIx

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2022

The issue also caught the attention of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor from Kerala who reacted on Twitter. He supported the hijab and said, ”Everyone is free to wear what they want.”

He raised the question on issue saying, ”If the hijab is disallowed, what about the Sikh turban? The Hindu’s forehead mark? The Christian’s crucifix?”

It’s been a strength of India that everyone is free to wear what they want. If the hijab is disallowed, what about the Sikh turban? The Hindu’s forehead mark? The Christian’s crucifix? This college is going down a slippery slope. Let the girls in. Let them study. Let THEM decide. https://t.co/X2HUIo5hiV

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 3, 2022

On the controversy, Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh said, ”They were not wearing the hijab earlier and this problem started only 20 days ago.”

”We’ve said we will form the committee which will give the final report by next academic year and govt will take a firm stand on that,” added Nagesh.

We’ve said we will form the committee which will give the final report by next academic year and govt will take a firm stand on that. They were not wearing the hijab earlier and this problem started only 20 days ago: Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh pic.twitter.com/kvaErA0ody

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2022

Read the comments of the public on the issue here:

In a civilised society,students comes together to support a classmate bullied for wearing a hijab.

&

In a rotten society,students are taught to hate classmates for wearing a hijab. pic.twitter.com/WKpiPV298q

— Mohammed Habeeb Ur Rehman (@Habeebinamdar) February 2, 2022

If Hijab can be permitted in schools then why not saffron robes.

— The Poll Lady (@ThePollLady) February 3, 2022

Hostility against hijab wearing Muslim students is increasing day by day. It is alarming and is an act of hate and bigotry.
Colleges and schools are choosing to isolate Muslim women and push them out of educational spaces. Strong intervention is needed! https://t.co/j7WtX55FK8

— Afreen Fatima (@AfreenFatima136) February 3, 2022

Tit for tat , if wearing hijab is fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 14,25 then so is weaing saffron stoles .

— Subham (@subhsays) February 3, 2022