A tense standoff over religious attire has unfolded at a government college in Karnataka's Haveri district, where students resorted to wearing saffron shawls in a counter-protest against some classmates attending classes in hijabs.
Escalation of the Dress Code Dispute
The incident occurred on Thursday at the CG Bellad Government First Grade College located in Akkialur. For the past month, a section of students had been petitioning the college principal, Viresh Kummur, to enforce a ban on hijabs within the campus premises and ensure strict adherence to the prescribed dress code. According to the protesting students, their appeals did not result in any concrete action from the administration.
This perceived inaction culminated in a visible demonstration when over 50 students attended their regular classes draped in saffron shawls. The trigger for this specific protest was an event the previous day, Wednesday, when two students came to the college wearing hijabs.
College Responds with Mobile Phone Ban
In a surprising turn of events aimed at controlling the narrative, the college administration has now imposed a ban on mobile phones within the campus. Students expressed their frustration with this new rule, stating that the institution initiated mobile checks to prevent them from taking photographs or recording videos of the saffron shawl protest.
The students believe the administration's primary motive is to stop images from circulating on social media platforms and potentially tarnishing the college's public reputation. This move has added another layer of contention to the already volatile situation.
Principal's Statement and Next Steps
College Principal Viresh Kummur addressed the situation, offering a different perspective. He stated that students who wear hijabs are doing so as part of their uniform and are compliant with campus rules. He acknowledged the Wednesday and Thursday incidents but downplayed their severity.
"There is no issue. Meetings are being held with all staff and appropriate measures will be taken after discussions with students," Kummur said. This indicates that the administration is attempting to mediate a solution through dialogue with both staff and student representatives to resolve the dress code impasse amicably.
The standoff highlights the ongoing and sensitive debates surrounding religious expression and dress codes in educational institutions across the state, with this college in Haveri becoming the latest flashpoint.
