16 Mangaluru students meet DC KV Rajendra over hijab row

MANGALURU: At least 16 of the 44 Muslim girl students of University College in Mangaluru on Monday urged the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner to allow them to wear headscarf in classrooms.
The students met deputy commissioner KV Rajendra after they were denied entry into the college citing the Karnataka high court order and university rules. They submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner in this regard.
Sources said the DC held a meeting with the students and obtained information from the college authorities about the rules in the college. The DC, in turn, apprised the students of the court's directive and the university had to obey the same.
The DC said, "I've asked the students to ensure there is no law-and-order problem inside the college campus and asked them to follow decisions of the university syndicate and the court. It is educational institutions which frame guidelines based on the court verdict."
College principal Anasuya Rai confirmed that 16 students arrived at the campus, but didn't attend classes. They went to the office of the deputy commissioner to submit a memorandum. A few girl students said the DC was "helpless" as the decision on disallowing hijab on the college premises has been made by the varsity syndicate. "We met MLA UT Khader, but with little success. Religious leaders and student organisations should help us get justice. It will take a long time if we take the legal recourse. Hence, there is a need to find a solution to the problem," a student said.