MU syndicate changes hijab rule; students protest

Mangaluru: The decision of Mangalore University syndicate to amend the existing uniform rule and impose a total ban on headscarf on the entire campus and within classrooms has met with resistance and criticism from both students and faculty members.
The new rule applies to the varsity’s six constituent colleges, including University College here.
Earlier, Muslim girls at University College were allowed to cover their heads with uniform shawls. That rule was scrapped after a meeting of the syndicate in Bengaluru on May 16. The six colleges were directed to implement the new rule from May 17.
University College principal Anasuya Rai told TOI that they have asked Muslim girls to abide by the syndicate decision. “Of the 44 Muslim students in our college, only 10 students are regularly attending the class. We have held several rounds of talks with them to return to the campus,” she said.
The Muslim girls said the revised rule is restricted to PU and lower classes, and not degree or post-graduate studies. They argued that the rule cannot be implemented in the middle of an academic year which disturbs the status quo.