Haveri: Tension rose at the CG Bellad Government First Grade College in Akki Alur after a group of Hindu students entered classrooms wearing saffron shawls to object to Muslim girls attending classes in hijabs. The incident reopened the debate on classroom dress rules and religious expression in Karnataka.
The protest began when a few boys arrived with saffron shawls and said the administration had ignored their earlier complaints. They argued that if Muslim girls were allowed to wear hijabs, they should also be permitted to wear shawls. Muslim students said they felt targeted. One student said she only wished to study in peace and that covering her head did not disturb anyone. Another said the hijab is part of her faith and does not affect classroom discipline.
College principal Veeresh Kamur said the institution had a uniform rule inside classrooms. He said exemptions were allowed when reasons were genuine. The issue had surfaced earlier and was settled through discussions. He said the college would now call a joint meeting with staff and parents to reach a clear solution.
The incident comes in the shadow of the statewide hijab ban introduced by the previous BJP government. The ban was upheld by the Karnataka High Court. A split verdict in the Supreme Court kept the order unchanged. Colleges continue to report friction on this issue.
Parents of Muslim students expressed worry about the pressure faced by their children. They said their daughters were not breaking any rules and only covering their heads. Teachers said they wanted the situation to calm down so students could return to their classes without fear.
