After Karnataka, Hyderabad, a row over burqa ban erupts in Vijayawada college

Amaravati: After Karnataka and Hyderabad, the students of Vijayawada city, Andhra Pradesh were stopped from entering the classroom wearing the burqa. On 17 February, Thursday, two final year BSc students of Loyola Degree College in Vijayawada said they were denied entry wearing burqa, which they are said to be following since their first year.

On Thursday morning, the college Principal who saw them in the premises asked them to remove the burqa before entering the class. The students who were against the rule informed their parents, who came to the college along with their Muslim community members.

Patan Saddikunnisa, a final year BSc student said "We are wearing burqa since our first year. Even our ID cards have photos with hijab. For the first time in three years, we are facing an issue where the college authorities have asked us to remove the burqa and enter classes. This is about our dignity, right, and our tradition".

On the other hand, Principal of the college, Rev Fr GAP Kishore said "As per the college rules, Muslim community students remove their burqa in the restrooms and enter classes. During my regular rounds, I found these students and asked them not to bring new rules and create problems like in other states".

According to the sources, the students before entering the classes remove the burqa and enter classes. When they were found wandering on the campus with the burqa, the Principal of the college questioned them and asked them not to make an issue like in other states. It is learnt that the Principal who has never seen the students wearing the burqa in classrooms questioned them on if they wanted to make an issue following colleges in Karnataka. After the issue turned out to be a heated argument, Vijayawada city police along with the District Collector visited the college. The issue was solved after the officials discussed and allowed the students to attend classes.

Speaking to News Meter, Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata said "In general, the college students remove their burqa in the restrooms and enter classes. The students who were late to college on Thursday were found in a burqa and were questioned by the Principal. However, the issue has been solved".