Muslim students denied entry at Indian college over burqa controversy
Students asked to remove burqas before entering college premises
In a recent incident that has sparked controversy, Muslim students attending Acharya College in Chembur, India, have reportedly been denied entry into the educational institution due to their burqas. The students claim they were asked to remove their traditional attire before being permitted to enter the college grounds.
Breaking | Acharya College in Mumbai stops Muslim girls from entering premises wearing naqab. Ruckus erupts outside College in Chembur as buqua clad girls stand ground outside the gate in vociferous protest. pic.twitter.com/itsW0O8i2G
— MUMBAI NEWS (@Mumbaikhabar9) August 2, 2023
Footage circulated on social media platforms on Wednesday, showing the students gathered outside the gates of NG Acharya & DK Marathe College in Chembur. In contrast, their peers, not clad in burqas, were seen entering the college without any obstruction.
One of the affected students expressed a willingness to comply with the college’s request, stating they would remove their burqas once within the college premises. However, they expressed discomfort at the idea of removing their burqas outside the college gate.
The security personnel at the college entrance confirmed that he was merely implementing the instructions given by the college principal. The principal had insisted that students wearing burqas should remove them before entering the college.
Another Video Coming From Mumbai Govandi Ng Acharya College Hijab people are not allowed to enter the college Many girls Still Waiting In Gate 😮💨 @MumbaiPolice @zoo_bear @ravishndtv #Abhishek #BBNaijaAllStars #JaipurExpressTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/O6nyQXs54Y
— Ansari (@mransarifaisal1) August 1, 2023
This incident is reminiscent of a similar controversy that unfolded in Karnataka in 2022. Muslim students from a junior college in Udupi, who wore hijabs, were also denied entry. The college justified this by stating that the wearing of hijabs contravened the college’s uniform policy.
Such incidents have sparked debates about religious freedom and the right to education in India. They have also raised questions about the balance between institutional policies and respect for cultural and religious practices. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the college authorities and the student community will address this issue.
The incident at Acharya College is not an isolated one, but part of a larger, ongoing conversation about the intersection of education, religion, and personal freedom in India. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that educational institutions face in balancing respect for cultural diversity and adherence to institutional norms and policies.
