A newly-enforced uniform at a government college in UP’s Moradabad is in the eye of a storm after protests by the Samajwadi Party’s youth wing and media reportage alleging that students wearing the burqa were not allowed to enter the institute. Amid allegations that the move stripped Muslim women students of their right to religious freedom, authorities at the Hindu College maintained that the uniform was necessary to prevent the entry of outsiders.

The uniform – white shirt and gray trousers for boys and gray kurta and white pyjama for girls – has always been in place but never enforced. However, after an attack on a faculty member by alleged outsiders, college authorities said they announced that it would be strictly enforced from October 15 last year – compliance has only been ensured since January 1 this year. 

However, a section of students, led by the Samajwadi Party’s youth wing launched a sit-in outside the college gates in the first week of January, alleging that Muslim girl students were being asked to take off their burqa at the entrance and this made it difficult for them to attend classes. But authorities at the college denied these allegations and claimed that a room near the entrance was always allocated for this purpose – they said this was subsequently also named as “changing room” amid the controversy in January.

“I am not supporting this protest. The girls who are coming in a burqa have been given space by the college administration. They never said that we should come without a burqa. They just said to take off the burqa and then enter college. They haven’t put restrictions on hijab,” said Iqra, a first year M Com student.

She said they had been asked to fill out a form consenting to this uniform at the time of admission, and that girl students and their families feel much better about the lack of outsiders on campus.

Atoofa, another student, alleged that protesters are “outsiders” and are wearing a burqa just to avoid identification.

However, several Muslim girl students who wore the burqa were also part of the protest. They could not be reached for comment. 

The college’s chief proctor AP Singh said there is “no dispute” now. He claimed there was a “misunderstanding” about students being told to take off their burqa at the gate and this news was “broadcast everywhere”. “A changing room has been made for this,” he said, adding that the college decided to strictly enforce the uniform after professor AU Khan was assaulted at the college entrance by alleged outsiders around six months ago.

“We have no problem with the burqa. If the students wear it to the college, take it off in the changing room and enter in their dress, who will have a problem? This rule has been enforced strictly since January 1. Some youngsters from outside protested against this, got their photos clicked, politicised it, and walked away,” said Singh, adding that the uniform is for both girls and boys.

College principal and professor Satyavrat Singh Rawat said the uniform is part of the code of conduct and students and their parents had signed a form about the same during admissions. He said there are 12,000 students in the college and the step has been taken only to stop the entry of “outsiders” and “rising hooliganism”.

“The protesters are not college students. We don’t have a problem with anyone, they can wear scarves or helmets but the uniform is compulsory. The burqa has to be taken off in the changing room. Ultimately, we have a problem with those who don’t want to wear the uniform.”

Was the move legal? 

Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyaya said, “The authority to enforce a dress code lies with the principal.”