Guest lecturer in Karnataka resigns over alleged denial to wear hijab

TUMAKURU: A guest lecturer in a private pre-university college here has resigned after she was allegedly asked not to wear Hijab or display any religious symbol.

Chandini, who has been working as a guest lecturer in a private college, teaching English for the past three years told reporters she was hurt after being instructed to hold classes without Hijab or displaying any religious identity. The college management has refuted the charge saying there was no such issue.

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The woman said the principal of the college summoned her and told her they have received orders that no one should take class wearing Hijab or displaying any religious identity. "For the past three years, I had been holding classes wearing Hijab but this instruction has hurt my self-respect. So I have resigned on my own because I am not okay working without Hijab in that college," she said.

In her resignation letter, she wrote, "resigning from my position of lecturer of English subject, as you demanded me to remove my Hijab, which I have been carrying from 3 years in your college. Right to religion is constitutional right, which nobody could deny. I condemn you undemocratic act."

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Educational institutions in Karnataka, especially schools and colleges are witnessing tense moments over Hijab, which started from Udupi in the December end with some girls insisting that they should be allowed to wear the headscarf as it was their religious right. In reaction, some Hindu students started coming to college wearing saffron scarves. The Karnataka government subsequently banned any cloth that could disturb peace, harmony and, public order. The Karnataka High Court, which is hearing some Muslim girls' plea against the Hijab ban, in its interim order had restricted the use of Hijab and saffron shawl or scarves till the final order.