Mangaluru: Three years after quitting her undergraduate course at University College, Hampankatta, amid the hijab row that rocked Karnataka in 2022, 24-year-old Gousiya has scripted an inspiring academic comeback by completing her postgraduation in medical physics with a CGPA of over 8. Currently interning at the Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology in Mangaluru, she now aspires to become a radiation safety officer.
Gousiya’s journey reflects resilience in the face of adversity, as she navigated social scrutiny, academic disruption and emotional stress before returning to higher education with renewed determination. She is set to receive her postgraduate degree from Mangalore University at its convocation scheduled in March.
Studies disrupted by hijab controversy
The turning point in Gousiya’s academic life came in 2022, when a statewide controversy erupted after Muslim students wearing hijabs were barred from attending classes in an educational institution in Udupi. The issue quickly escalated, triggering protests, counter-protests and widespread communal tension across Karnataka.
In response, the state government imposed a ban on wearing all religious attire in educational institutions. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict, leaving the issue unresolved at the national level.
At the time, Gousiya was pursuing her BSc at University College, Hampankatta, and had completed her fifth semester. However, the restrictions meant she was unable to attend her sixth-semester classes, forcing her to discontinue her undergraduate studies midway.
“I found myself at the centre of the hijab controversy and was blamed for leading others. The entire episode took a heavy mental toll on me,” Gousiya recalled. “It was a very difficult phase, and stepping away from college was not an easy decision.”
One-year break and return to academics
After quitting her undergraduate course, Gousiya took a one-year break from academics. During this period, she worked as a schoolteacher, using the time to support herself financially while also regaining emotional stability.
She said the break helped her reflect on her long-term goals. “From the very beginning, my aim was to build a career in medical physics. Even during the toughest phase, that goal never changed,” she said.
Determined not to let the controversy define her future, Gousiya resumed her studies after a year. She enrolled in a postgraduate programme in medical physics at Mangalore University’s Mangalagangothri campus in Konaje, marking a fresh academic beginning.
Excelling in postgraduation
Gousiya’s performance during her postgraduate studies exceeded her own expectations. Despite the earlier interruption in her education, she completed the programme with a CGPA of over 8, a result she describes as deeply satisfying.
“Today, I have achieved far more academically than what I had once imagined,” she said. “The challenges I faced eventually made me stronger and more focused.”
She is now undergoing internship training at the Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology in Mangaluru, where she is gaining hands-on experience in medical physics, a field that plays a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and radiation therapy.
Her long-term ambition is to qualify as a radiation safety officer, a specialised role responsible for ensuring the safe use of radiation in medical and industrial settings.
Impact on peers during hijab row
Gousiya, a resident of Kaikamba, said she was not alone in facing academic disruption during the hijab controversy. According to her, six girls from her group quit college during their fifth semester due to the restrictions.
“Four of us, including me, later secured admission at Besant Women’s College,” she said. “One student discontinued her studies as her subject combination was available only at University College, while another quit the BSc course to take up a professional course.”
She added that the outcomes for the group varied. “Those who completed their undergraduate studies are now working, while some got married. Each of us had to take different paths based on our circumstances.”
Mental toll and personal growth
Reflecting on the events of 2022, Gousiya said the controversy had a profound psychological impact on her. Being singled out and blamed publicly, she said, was emotionally exhausting, especially at a young age.
However, she believes the experience also contributed to her personal growth. “It was a painful phase, but it taught me resilience. I learnt to focus on my goals rather than the noise around me,” she said.
Her story has since resonated with many students who faced similar disruptions during the hijab row, highlighting the long-term consequences such controversies can have on young lives and education.
Conclusion
Gousiya’s academic journey, marked by disruption, determination and eventual success, stands as a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity. As she prepares to receive her postgraduate degree and build a career in medical physics, her story serves as an example of how setbacks, even those rooted in social and political controversies, need not define one’s future. Instead, with resolve and support, they can become stepping stones to greater achievement.