By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Union Muslim League students’ outfit Muslim Students Federation (MSF) has decided to launch an online survey to address complaints from students who are barred from wearing hijabs in educational institutes in Kerala.
“This is not to force anyone hijab, but to ensure none is denied the right to wear a headscarf,” said MSF national vice president Fathima Thahiliya.
The organisation has so far received complaints from more than 60 persons through an online campaign, launched last month.
“Muslim girls are not permitted to wear hijab in some of the educational institutions. Schools deny the right citing dress and disciplinary code. In colleges, girls are questioned by authorities even if they are allowed to wear it,” Thahiliya says.
Last year, issues regarding wearing hijab had sparked protests in a college in Kozhikode while a science institute in Kochi witnessed stir against the college management for imposing stringent disciplinary code and denial of the right to wear hijab.
According to MSF, they have intervened in more than 50 cases where students and parents have complained about the ban on hijab.
“This is a case of mere violation of fundamental right. MSF has been holding protests for past few years across the state. Still, complaints are pouring against the ban,” said MSF national president T P Ashraf Ali.
Last year, three schools were asked by the Kerala State Commission For Protection Of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) to permit hijab following complaints issued with the commission. The commission had also demanded the State Government to issue a Government Order asking all schools to permit headscarf. In an order, the commission asked education secretary and director of public instruction (DPI) to issue an order allowing Muslim students to wear scarves matching the colour of their school uniforms. The order was in response to a complaint filed by a Muslim student at Taliparambu in Kannur.
“Religious and personal freedom has been granted by Constitution. Besides, we are obliged to follow section 14 of UN convention on child rights in 1989. India is a signatory of that convention,” said KeSCPCR former member Nazeer Chaliyam.
After the survey is completed, details of the schools not allowing hijab will be published. “MSF has sought legal opinion in this regard and will go ahead with the cause,” Ashraf Ali said.