A guest lecturer at Tumkuru’s Jain PU College in Karnataka has quit amid the controversy over restrictions on wearing a hijab (headscarf) at educational institutions that has triggered a massive debate.
Even as the Karnataka High Court hears a slew of petitions against the government order, students and teachers in the southern state have been told not to wear hijabs, saffron shawls or any religious symbols inside institution classrooms after the HC’s interim order last week.
“I have had no hassle at all and had been working comfortably at the college for the last three years. But yesterday morning our principal called us and told us that we shouldn’t wear the hijab or represent any religious symbols and that they had orders,” stated Chandini, the guest lecturer.
“This (restriction) was against my self-respect, so I have resigned on my own. I am not working without a hijab in that college,” she added in a recorded video message that is being circulated online. Chandini ended her hand-written resignation letter saying: “I condemn your undemocratic act”.
The controversy over wearing the hijab started from Karnataka’s Udupi a couple of weeks ago. It has led to a nationwide debate. Schools and colleges were closed for about a week and large gatherings were banned in parts of the state amid huge protests.
The Karnataka HC will continue to hear the matter on Friday afternoon.
