West Bengal students demand teachers wear burqas
Published: Jul 29, 2010 23:10 Updated: Jul 29, 2010 23:10
CALCUTTA: Students at an Islamic university in eastern India have refused to allow a female lecturer to teach unless she wears an all-encompassing Muslim veil, the teacher said on Thursday.
The student union has ordered all female students and all eight female lecturers at the small Calcutta campus of Aliah University to wear the veil, called a burqa in South Asia.
Sirin Middya said she was appointed in March but has not been allowed to teach her classes since she refused to wear the garment, which covers the entire body and face. A mesh net covers the eyes.
“The students have threatened us and have put up banners saying those who oppose the burqa rule can go back home,” Middya said.
Nearly a fourth of the population of West Bengal state, where the university is located, is Muslim, and burqas are a common sight in many neighborhoods.
Middya said she had been hired to teach Bengali at the city campus but had been helping out as a librarian in a separate suburban campus of the university for the last three months.
“I don’t have a problem wearing the burqa, but when I wear it, it will be of my own free will,” Middya said. Middya said she has written to the university authorities and West Bengal education minister to intervene after a new academic year began in July.
University authorities were not immediately available for comment. However, Vice Chancellor Syed Shamshul Alam told the Indian Express newspaper that they have asked the teacher to shift to another campus of the university.
“This is a stray incident... There is no dress code in our university,” Alam said.

Comments
GEORGE
Jul 31, 2010 22:32
Report abuseAMIN
Jul 31, 2010 23:55
Report abuseThe fact here is that when a family member tries to go beyond his/her limitation,the other members of the family try to bring him/her back to the normal. But my dear friend your grey matter is not developed enough to understand these family values for the 2 possible prominent reasons: 1. People like you have filled yourself with racism and/or 2.People like You are being paid a good sum of money to spread hatred.
If you are really concerned about humanity, modesty, global peace and etiquettes, and also, if you are so interested to point finger at Islam and Muslim and if you have courage to accept challenge, I invite you to remove all your prejudice about anyone and try to understand the holy Quran comprehensively. And after that if you don't like Islamic Values, options are open for you. Its true that we, the Muslims have deviated from our original path and its also true at the same time that some outsiders in name of Muslims are creating chaos globally but remember its not our style and we are desperately waiting for the people like you to come ahead and act like a catalyst to create a much needed awakening among Muslims and for this very reason I thank you whole heartedly.Please come here everyday and vomit your anti-Islamic feelings so that my Muslim brothers and sisters can wake up from their deep sleep.
HASHMI
Aug 1, 2010 16:44
Report abuseSARA AL-SHAIKH
Aug 1, 2010 17:26
Report abuseTARIQ
Aug 1, 2010 17:31
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