Hangal (Haveri): Spilling over from coastal districts, the burqa row seems to have now entered Haveri district too in a very strong manner. With a section of students from Sri Kumareshwara Arts and Commerce College of Hangal demanding ban on burqa on campus, the female Muslim students have said that they would discontinue studies if the ban is imposed.
The helpless Muslim girls, who have limited educational options, say that they are torn between religious traditions and desire to find their ground after being educated.
“Our parents will not send us to college if we do not wear burqa. Therefore, we should be allowed to attend classes with burqa else we will have to discontinue our studies. The girls say that they wear burqa over the college uniform and hence non-Muslim students need not suspect them of not wearing the uniform. We have no qualms if the college initiates action against us for not wearing uniform,” reports Deccan Herald, quoting a female student.
The problem has cropped up in nearby B R Tambakada College in Hirekerur and Bellada Government First Grade College in Akki Alur as well.
Meanwhile, presenting their point of view, non-Muslim students say that if the Muslim students attend classes wearing Burqa then the rest wear colourful attires to college.
The problem only worsened when even talks to convince the Muslims girls to remove their burqa in college premises failed.
With the issue of compliance to directives on uniform, the students in Haveri district now stand divided on communal lines and the solution for the problem seems to be vague.
