UoH, MANUU students launch protests in Hyderabad over K'taka hijab controversy

Hyderabad: Various student organizations in the University of Hyderabad (UoH) organized a protest on the campus on 9 February in solidarity with the Karnataka Muslim girls who were prohibited from entering colleges wearing hijabs.

Students from AISA, ASA, Fraternity, JKSA, MSF, NSUI, SFI, and TSF took part in the 'Protest March against Hindutva Hatred'. They marched from South Shopping Complex to the South Gate of the campus holding placards and raising slogans.

"Hijab is not just about wearing a cloth, it's about the dignity of students. Hijab has been worn by Muslim women since a long time ago but what has changed now is the Hindutva hatred that is propagating all over India like a pandemic. They are polarising people. They are spreading hatred. This hatred is systematically planned and they are rooting it in from the very basic unit of the society, the school," said Muhammed AR, the general secretary of MSF, HCU unit. He also emphasized the importance of spreading awareness on this issue and urged everybody to show solidarity with the Muslim girls fighting in Karnataka.

Video Credits: Shahamath

Shahifa P.V, a first-year MA History student who took part in the protest march, said, "It's very problematic and shocking when someone decides what we should wear or not wear. Even little children know that it is the right given by our Constitution. Also, it's not just about a piece of cloth. It's about our dignity and right. Maybe today it's about Muslim women but tomorrow it will be about another community."

Meanwhile, students of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) also held a protest march on Thursday against hijab discrimination in Karnataka colleges.

Students from Anwarul Uloom College in Mallepally and Government Nizamia Taibbi College also organized protest marches against the hijab ban on 9 February.

There were a few public protests in some parts of Hyderabad on 9 February. Women organized prayers and demonstrations at the Ujale Shah Eidgah in Saidabad extending support to the students protesting in Karnataka.