Mangalore, August 21: The controversy over Sri Venkataramana Swamy College student Aysha Asmin not being allowed to wear a headscarf to class may yet have one positive fallout. The row may result in the formulation of guidelines to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Mangalore University will be entrusted with arriving at a solution — based on deliberations among the various stakeholders held in the spirit of accommodation — that will respect inter-religious sentiments, the Collegiate Education Director, Prof K V Kodandaramaiah said in Mangalore on Thursday before heading back to Bangalore.
Kodandaramaiah, who was in Mangalore to submit a report on the scarf episode to the government, had met with District-in-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar and D K District Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj. It was decided that Ponnuraj will write to Mangalore University Vice- Chancellor Prof K M Kaveriappa to convene a meeting of principals to evolve a common understanding on the dress code. Ponnuraj told Express that under the University Act, Mangalore University was empowered to give a direction on the dress code.
The deputy commissioner also had issued a notice to SVS college in Bantwal, seeking an explanation on the decision to ban the scarf. The college’s reply will be forwarded to the state government, he said.
Kodandaramaiah, who visited SVS College in Bantwal found that there was no law and order problem at the institution.
“In a day or two, I will submit an interim report to the government,” said Kodandaramaiah, adding that he had asked for additional documents from the college.
The action to be taken in this case will be in the form of a resolution and will be arrived at a meeting of principals convened by the vice-chancellor.
“This will be incorporated in my comprehensive report to be submitted to government. This resolution will be replicated in other regions to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he stressed.
–Agencies