J&K: School in Srinagar bars girl students from wearing 'Abaya'; wants to implement 'uniform dress code', says Principal
08 Jun 2023 16:16:55
Srinagar, June 8: In a significant development, a prominent school in Srinagar of Jammu and Kashmir has sparked a controversy after the principal barred the girl students from wearing the 'Abaya', the mandatory Muslim veil inside the school premises.
The management of Vishwa Bharti Higher Secondary School has however said that it was implementing a "uniform dress code" among the students. It has also stated that they have barred Abhaya because many of them wear colourful Abaya (full body cover) and come to school.
Staging a protest against this development, several girl students at the Vishwa Bharti Higher Secondary School in Rainawari area of Srinagar on Thursday alleged that the school authorities are barring them from wearing hijab. However, it is not true. The school management said that only Abaya has been banned.
Now, National Conference has called it “interference in matters of religious attire”. In a Facebook post, NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said that wearing a Hijab should be a personal choice, and there should be no interference in matters of religious attire. "It is unfortunate to witness such incidents in a Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir. The school administration demanding the removal of Hijabs is unacceptable,” he said.
"We strongly oppose this and urge for immediate corrective action. This is the Vishwa Bharti Higher Secondary School Rainawari Srinagar," he added.
One of the protesting students said that they were not allowed to enter the school premises wearing ‘Abaya’ following an order from the school principal. She said that the principal asked the students not to enter the school premises with ‘Abaya’ and now she is changing her statement.
The students alleged that the school authorities have started co-education in the school despite being a girls’ institution. “We want the authorities to fix dress code for us.”
Meanwhile, the principal of the school told KNO that even though the school has its own dress code and some girls also wear ‘Abaya’, they have never been stopped. “Yesterday, I informed teachers to ask those students not to wear Abaya on the school premises but they can come in Abaya until they reach the school premises in order to maintain decorum.”
She said added that there is no higher authority involved in it but “I believe a proper dress code which everywhere is being followed shall be followed here as well.” “We will announce a proper colour and pattern of ‘Abaya’ for all those students who want come to school wearing the same. We are not allowing colourful Abayas to be followed in the institution” she said.
The students alleged that the school authorities have started co-education in the school despite being a girls’ institution. “We want the authorities to fix dress code for us.”
Meanwhile, the principal of the school told KNO that even though the school has its own dress code and some girls also wear ‘Abaya’, they have never been stopped. “Yesterday, I informed teachers to ask those students not to wear Abaya on the school premises but they can come in Abaya until they reach the school premises in order to maintain decorum.”
She said added that there is no higher authority involved in it but “I believe a proper dress code which everywhere is being followed shall be followed here as well.” “We will announce a proper colour and pattern of ‘Abaya’ for all those students who want come to school wearing the same. We are not allowing colourful Abayas to be followed in the institution” she said.