Hijab controversy: Degree colleges enforce dress code leading to protests

This comes despite a clarification by Higher Education Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan that no uniform is stipulated in degree colleges

Reopening of educational institutions in Belagavi on February 17 was not a smooth affair, as protests broke out in several degree colleges that tried to enforce a dress code.

This comes despite a clarification on February 15 by Higher Education Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan that no uniform is stipulated in degree colleges, and hence, students are free to wear the dress of their choice.

Tension prevailed in Sadashiv Nagar Cross in Belagavi on February 17 after authorities of a para-medical college stopped hijab-clad girls from attending classes. When the girls refused to remove their headscarves, they were asked to leave.

This angered some male students who shouted slogans expressing solidarity with their classmates.

Some activists from nearby areas gathered in front of the college and shouted ‘We want justice’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’. On Seeing this, college authorities called the police.

The police arrested six persons and dispersed the crowd.

Akbar Ali Khan, former member of the city corporation, tried to reason with the college authorities that the circular is restricted only to PUC colleges and not others. But the authorities were not convinced. They argued that the Department of Higher Education had not issued a separate order for degree colleges.