'Educational institutions must decide over dress code: Quraishi

Addressing media persons during his visit to the City on Saturday, he said it is left to the colleges to decide whether there should be a dress code or not in their campus.

“People have equal right to have their religious sentiments. If somebody feel that their religious rights are oppressed, they can seek justice through law of courts,” he said, answering a question on the recent controversy over wearing burkha on a college campus.

“Even I have to respect my religion. But the feeling of being an Indian is more important than anything else,” he added.
Quraishi regretted that even trivial issues are being blown out of proportion in the coastal districts in order to spoil the BJP government’s image. He said since the coastal belt is communally sensitive, he is paying repeated visits to the region. This is his fifth visit to Mangalore.

He said the Commission has received complaints regarding the illegal detention of five Muslim youths by police at Kallapu. “I have discussed the issue with the Superintendent of Police. He has assured of an enquiry,” he said adding that police have all rights to take somebody into custody for questioning, while minorities too should co-operate with the police to maintain law and order.

Quraishi informed that a total of seven flights will fly from Mangalore to Jeddah for the convenience of Haj pilgrims. A total of 700 members from Karnataka will be participating in the Haj pilgrimage this time.

He said the government has sanctioned Rs one crore for Ullal Darga. Asked about the trend of registering false cases against some Christians in connection with the church attack incidents, Quraishi said he is not aware of them.

“There were three Muslims and one Christian in the S M Krishna cabinet. The present government has only one Muslim member as a minister. Despite this, the government has granted highest facilities to the minorities which proves that the BJP is not anti-minorities,” he said.