Students can wear hijab outside the college gate, but within the premises, it is mandatory to wear the college dress, says principal
Team Clarion
KANPUR – Three female students of Bilhaur Inter College in the Uttar Pradesh city of Kanpur have been expelled after arriving at the college wearing hijab, sparking controversy. The school administration has cited a violation of the dress code, while the students allege that a teacher told them to “go to madrasa” if they wished to wear hijab. The incident, which occurred five days ago, came to light on Thursday.
According to reports, the Class XII students were asked by their class teacher to remove their hijabs upon entering the college on Saturday. The students claim that the teacher, in a mocking tone, suggested that they should study in a madrasa instead of a regular school if they wanted to wear a hijab. The students protested against the remarks, leading to a heated exchange that reached the principal’s office.
Principal Surjeet Yadav addressed the situation by reiterating the college’s dress code policy, stating, “I asked the students to adhere to the school dress code, which they refused, insisting on their right to wear the hijab.” He added that when the students continued to resist, their families were called in, and eventually, they were made to sign a letter, effectively expelling them from the college.
The students’ families allege that the girls were unjustly expelled from the college. “Our children were forced to sign a letter and were expelled simply for wearing the hijab. This is a violation of their rights,” said one of the parents.
Prabhakar Srivastava, the college manager, acknowledged the situation, stating that the female computer teacher, Jyoti, who made the remarks, had admitted her mistake. “We have spoken to the teacher, and she has accepted her fault. We will gather full information from the principal regarding the incident,” Srivastava said.
The principal further clarified the college’s stance, noting, “Students can wear hijab outside the college gate, but within the premises, it is mandatory to wear the college dress.”
