After Mangaluru college hijab ban, five students apply for TC

Five Muslim students of Hampankatta University College in Mangalore who were banned from wearing hijab to college, have applied to the college administration for a transfer certificate.

Anusuya Rai, the principal of the college confirmed that five students, to join other institutions, have applied for the TC. However, they were asked to resubmit the application after making certain corrections. She said the college management would call for the issuance of the certificate as soon as the students submit the letter.

Admission to degree courses will start this week after the PUC-II results are announced. Earlier, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor PS Yadapaditaya had announced that special provisions would be made by the university for Muslim students willing to seek admission in different colleges in relation to the hijab rule.

In May, a group of girls came to the college wearing hijabs after the college decided to ban the wearing of religious clothing on campus as per the decision of a Karnataka High Court. These students were asked to go back home by the college officials, according to the News Minute.

Principal Anusuya Rai was seen in a video, that was widely shared, asking the students to refrain from wearing the hijab to college. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai responded to the incident and urged the students not to bring up the hijab row again and to abide by the orders of the government and the high court.

Although the student approached Dr Rajendra KV, the District Collector and requested him to intercede on their behalf, the collector refused to do so citing that dress codes were decided by the concerned institutions on the basis of the orders by the government. Hampankatta University College decided on the dress code in May 2022 following a meeting with the College Development Council, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the college, and members of the Mangaluru University Syndicate.

Hampankatta University College denied almost 15 students permission to sit in class and use facilities like the library while in hijab. The Mangalore University's decision comes after a protest by Akhil Bharatiya Vidya Parishad (ABVP) activists demanding that students not be allowed to wear the hijab on campus.

Six students of Uppinangadi PU College were put under suspension for wearing hijabs in June. It is reported that they were constantly warned to abide by the dress code. The state government's hijab ban was upheld by the Karnataka High Court. This ban was for institutions that had compulsory uniforms. Currently, most campuses in the state have banned the hijab as a part of their uniform.