Most recently, two more Muslim students pursuing the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course at Bhandarkar College of Art and Science in Kundapura approached the Court with a similar grievance.
This plea stated that the petitioners, like other Muslim students, have been wearing a headscarf over their college uniform from the time they started studying in the college, and that there is a specific provision in the college rulebook which permits Muslim girl students to wear a headscarf.
However, for the first time on February 3, the petitioners and other Muslim girl students were prevented from entering the college and attending classes by the Principal and staff, who told them that there was a government order against wearing a headscarf. The following contentions were also raised in this plea:
– There is no rule under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act which prescribes a uniform for college students or puts any restriction on clothes, apart from not permitting indecent attire;
– Pushing and throwing out girl students without any reason denies them their fundamental right to education, and is inhuman and immoral;
– The headscarf is an essential practice of the local and religious culture, and is hence protected under Article 25 (freedom of religion) of the Constitution of India;
– The college is acting under the instructions of the MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, who is interfering in the management of the college for his own political interests.
Source: Barandbench
