She was addressing a protest organised against the implementation of ban on Muslim headscarf by Sri Venkataramana Swamy (SVS) College, Bantwal, under the banner of Dakshina Kannada Students Federation (DKSF) in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Thursday.
“The Indian culture give emphasis on preserving morality in the society especially among women. Burkha cannot be recognised as a symbol of religion and it also cannot be considered as immoral. It covers the entire body of a woman,” Ruqshana said.
Talking about the headscarf ban imposed on first year BCom student Aysha Ashmin at SVS College, Ruqshana recalled that the President of India Prathibha Patel is covering her head with saree and Christian nuns too use headscarf. Hence, wearing headscarf can never be against morality, she added.
‘Not isolated issue’
Speking on the occasion, DKSF Convener Mohammed Sakir said “the humiliation suffered by Aysha Ashmin at SVS College was not an isolated case. There are several such Musilm girls, who face similar humiliation, at education institutions in the district.”
“Though there are several Muslim girls who face humiliation in education institutions, only Ashmin showed the courage to expose the truth to the world,” Sakir added.
“Wearing headscarf is not a symbol of any religion. Moreover, the Indian Constitution itself assures personal freedom to every citizen to wear dress of his own choice,” Sakir said.
Reacting to Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavli’s comments explaining SVS College issue as a ‘minor incident’, Sakir said “let minister pass on the same comment to the SVS College principal.”
“Banning headscarf is nothing but an injustice towards the dignity of womanhood and freedom of expression. We have to analyse the issue from democratic perspective rather than religious viewpoint,” Sakir suggested. Students Islamic Organisation President Nisar Ahmed and St Aloysius College students leader Harshraj were present.
