Mumbai junior college bans burqa, shorts; AIMIM lawyer to protest ‘violation of student rights'

Opposing a month-old dress code enforced by Vivek Junior College in Mumbai’s Goregaon, sections of the Muslim community have written to the college principal, calling the directive a violation of the constitutional rights of students. The junior college, which has already implemented the dress code for Class 11 and 12 students, has banned burqa, niqab, caps, sleeveless tops, shorts, ripped jeans to ensure “modest” and “appropriate” attire on campus. The order comes after “security concerns” over the recent entry of “non-students" on the campus.

As per the circular issued by Vivek Vidyalaya & Junior College, boys are allowed to wear formal half or full shirt and trousers, t-shirt and jeans whereas the dress code for girls includes “any appropriate” Indian or western outfit. Boys are required to have a proper haircut and girls need to keep their hair tied up at all times.

The code of conduct prohibits sleeveless tops, short tops, jerseys, short dresses, short t-shirts, body-hugging tops, shorts, ripped jeans, or any other revealing attire deemed inappropriate. Clothing that reveals religion or shows cultural disparity is banned.

Girls are required to remove their burqa, niqab, and other signs specifying religion before entering the class. However, hijab is allowed. Caps, badges, and religious signs are prohibited for boys too.

Another college introduced a similar uniform for the students last year only to face a court case by Muslim students in the Supreme Court which upheld the ban on burqa and niqab while giving a green signal to hijab.

AIMIM advocate seeks withdrawal of order, clarification on non-discrimination

Advocate Jahanara Shaikh of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has filed a written representation to the college principal and the Mumbai Police, calling the restrictions “arbitrary and discriminatory.” She alleged that the order is causing mental distress, humiliation, and fear of discrimination along with loss of concentration in studies among students.

Acting on the complaints from students and directives from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the advocate announced that she will begin a hunger strike from tomorrow to protest the ban.

Shaikh argued that no educational authority or government guideline empowers the college administration to ban religious attire. She has urged the college to withdraw the notification, allow students to follow religious attire, issue a clarification ensuring no discrimination on religious grounds, and conduct a parents’ meeting before implementing any future dress code.