The ban on burqas will be effective from the next academic year at the St Aloysious College. The diktat is likely to create a furore in the city, which has 30 per cent Muslim population.
Muslim organisations are up in arms against the college and say that the ban on the burqa is demeaning and hurts their sentiments. However, the college continues to stick by the rule.
An official from St Aloysious College, requesting anonymity, said that the rule bars wearing of the burqa in the classroom and examination hall. "We have no objection to anyone wearing the burqa
on campus. Moreover, there's no ban on wearing a headscarf," the official said.
According to college sources, the rule came into force after a student wearing a burqa was caught cheating during an examination. Also, the move will help bring uniformity in the classroom, they said.
It may be recalled that in 2009, a girl from SVS College insisted on wearing a headscarf to class despite an imposed a dress code, which did not permit wearing a burqa. However, the issue was later resolved by allowing girls to use the dupatta or the shawl of the uniform as a headscarf.
Last August, a student of Jain College, Moodbidri stopped attending college as she was not allowed to wear a headscarf in class.
