Hijab issue divests many Muslim students of an academic year: Report

Bengaluru: The hijab wearing issue that began in Karnataka's Udupi, which later spread across the state, prompting the Karnataka High Court to order 'no' hijab inside classrooms until a final verdict on the petitions filed in the court, has divested many Muslim students of an academic year.

Had not the hijab ban been an impediment in their studies, nearly 230 Muslim students in Udupi alone, would have written their final year exams. Data, compiled by the Muslim Okkoota, a coalition of organisations representing the Muslim community in Udupi, showed the grim side of the issue and adverse impact of it on the Muslim students in Karnataka.

The case is not different in other parts of the state. Students from Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada have also said they have missed their classes ever since the issue aggravated.

Not only the students who are upset over the turnout of the issue forcing them to abstain from the classes, the parents have also been disturbed while thinking about the future of their daughters.

The data was compiled by inviting students who were missing their classes to fill up an online form. Of the 230 students from Udupi who have missed classes or exams, 160 students are studying in pre-university colleges and the remaining are from degree colleges.

Sixty-one of them are appearing for board examinations in their 2nd PU year, which is considered crucial as it paves the way for admission to undergraduate courses in a field of their choice, the News Minute reported quoting the data.

The Muslim Okkoota in Udupi, which was earlier keen on striking a compromise over the hijab row, is said to be working with the colleges to persuade them to ensure the students finish the current academic year. They are arranging free online lessons for students who have missed out on classes.