Udupi: The issue of girls in Udupi Government Pre-University College should be solved within the ambit of the Constitution. The Udupi Muslim Okkoota has put in efforts in this direction. But the attitudes of Udupi Government PU College Principal, teachers and College Development Committee have been narrow and negative against the implementation of the Indian Constitutional spirit. Their narrow understanding of the issues has been detrimental for arriving at an amicable outcome. Thus the issue that had to be resolved at the college level has cascaded into a colossal mess, said Ibrahim Sahib Kota, President of Udupi Zilla Muslim Okkoota.
Addressing a media conference held at the Udupi Press Club here on Thursday February 10, Ibrahim Sahib Kota said that it is incumbent on girls after reaching puberty to observe Purdah. Our Indian Constitutional has given full provision in this regard. Therefore, any institution should not interfere and obstruct this Constitutional prerogative, he said.
He said that any rule or bylaws relating to educational institutions must be sensitised so that no person of any religion, caste, class, community or tradition can be deprived of his right to education. The purpose of educational institutions should be to educate children and not to impede the practices of others or to impose their rules on them, he added.
Moreover, he said that India is a secular, plural and diverse country. Thus, any education rules should consider all cultures, emotions, local beliefs, and practices. The scarf does not violate any rules or regulations. The students willing to wear the scarf should be allowed to wear the same colour as the prescribed uniform is a just demand and Muslim Okkuta also endorses this demand, he said.
The current issues concern overall society and community. Thus Udupi Muslim Okkuta urges that efforts should be made for collective deliberations and decision making rather than individual efforts from some leaders and any particular sect of organisations, he said.
The Udupi Muslim Okkoota demands that the political parties and the organisations affiliated with them should not interfere in the education system. They should not engage in any activities that would affect any student’s religious and constitutional rights or incite students to conflict, he added.
Idrees Hoode, Vice President of the Okkuta said that we have tried our best to resolve the issue prior to its escalation. We held meeting with the parents of the students, District Administration, School Management and so on. Moreover, we insist that students need to wear Hijab. It’s their wish to practice the ways of religion. The government should allow them to wear Hijab and let them to continue obtaining education, he said.
Mohammed Moula, General Secretary, Ismail Hussain Secretary, Abdul Azeez, Zaffrulla, Iqbal Manna and others were present during the press meet.
