Muslim students allege ABVP assault over hijab as Assam College moves to enforce uniform

Cachar College in Assam’s Silchar is set to enforce a uniform code following objections to Muslim female students wearing hijab and a reported hate campaign against them.

The issue also triggered clashes on Tuesday after members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) allegedly attacked students during membership drives organised by the ABVP and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).

According to sources, the confrontation began when some ABVP members objected to the presence of hijab-wearing Muslim students at the NSUI membership camp. The dispute subsequently turned physical, leaving several students injured, Maktoob Media reported.

A Muslim student told local media that ABVP members initially maintained that Cachar College was an educational institution where religion should have no role. However, she alleged that they later raised slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”.

The student claimed that the ABVP members questioned the wearing of hijab, suggesting that the practice could eventually lead to students offering prayers on campus. She argued that Muslim students did not object when religious rituals such as pooja were conducted on the premises and questioned why their choice to wear hijab was being challenged.

She also rejected allegations that students were using headphones underneath their hijabs. According to her, if authorities had concerns about such practices, the college could introduce appropriate checking procedures before examinations.

The student said the NSUI membership campaign had been organised with the approval of the college principal. She alleged that ABVP members objected to the campaign on its second day and asked the NSUI workers to leave.

She further alleged that the ABVP members attempted to take away the membership register and, after being informed that the campaign had the principal’s permission, allegedly snatched a student’s hijab, pushed students and assaulted them. She claimed that several male students were also beaten.

The incident occurred a day after some students submitted a memorandum to the Cachar district administration demanding restrictions on religious attire, including hijabs and skullcaps, on the college campus.

Cachar College Principal Dr Apratim Nag said the institution would make efforts to enforce its existing uniform code. Under the prescribed dress rules, male students are required to wear trousers and shirts, while female students are expected to wear salwar-kameez or churidar-kameez with a dupatta worn in the specified manner.

The NSUI alleged that ABVP members had assaulted its workers and accused them of using political influence to shield those involved in the incident.