"Hit To My Self-Respect", Karnataka Teacher Resigns Amid Hijab Row

A professor in a private college in Karnataka resigned on February 18 after she was allegedly asked to take off her hijab before entering college.

According to a report by NDTV, the professor had been wearing hijab for the past three years and the new rule did not sit well with her. The professor identified as Chandini used to teach English at the Jain PU college in Tumakuru and it was the first time that she was allegedly asked to remove her hijab.

Karnataka Teacher resigns:

While talking to the media, Chandini said, "I have been working at Jain PU college for the last three years. I haven't faced any issues so far. But yesterday, the principal told me that I can't wear hijab or any religious symbol while teaching. But I have taught for the last three years wearing hijab. This new decision is a hit to my self-respect. That's why I have decided to resign."

The principal of the college KT Manjunath has claimed that neither he nor any of his management staff asked Chandini to remove her hijab. For almost two months, Muslim students in Karnataka have been protesting against the new dress code rule in state colleges which prohibits students from wearing hijab in classrooms. The Karnataka High Court heard the plea of the protesting students and passed a temporary ban on all kinds of religious attire in schools and colleges.

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During the protests, some students started a counter protest against the hijab clad students and the ones supporting them. The anti-hijab protestors were seen wearing saffron colour scarves in college campus. Many students have been expressing disagreement with the college administrations especially because the students were allowed to wear hijab before the new rule came about.

After the court verdict, the high schools and colleges reopend which were closed due to the tension in the state. The institutions have been reportedly asking its students and teachers to removes the headscarves before entering the campus. The Print reported that the court in its verdict had not specified if the temporary ban on hijab applies on teachers and students who do not have an assigned uniform.