MANGALORE: Despite facing criticism for imposing restriction on burqa, St Aloysius College has remained firm on its decision to ban Muslim girls from wearing it inside the classrooms and examination halls.
“The intention is not discriminatory as is being made out. The objective is to protect academic pursuits and the sanctity of examinations,” said principal (in-charge) Fr Walter Andrade. He added that burqa can be worn in the campus and corridors. “A student should nor remain unidentified in examination halls and classrooms. The criticism against the institution is out of context,” said Andrade.
He denied rumours that the college is targeting a particular religion. He said that college respected all religions and burqa restrictions published in the prospectus will not be withdrawn.
Mangalore Jesuit Education Society vice-president and St Aloysius Institutions Rector Fr Joseph Rodrigues said the decision was undertaken to maintain the principles, he clarified.
“A lecturer or an invigilator cannot insult the student by asking her to remove the veil in the examination hall or classroom. One cannot identify a person if the face is covered,” added Rodrigues. Registrar A M Narahari said identification is important in examination halls as anyone can write examination incognito in a burqa.