A controversy has erupted in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district after the Principal of Pocker Saheb Memorial Orphanage College, Thiroorangadi (PSMO), prevented hijab-clad girls from appearing for examinations. Dr. K. Asees, the Principal of the Muslim management college, stopped the girls as they entered the examination hall with their faces covered. The incident occurred on December 13.
Thiroorangadi Pocker Saheb Memorial Orphanage College is one of the distance study centers under Calicut University. Students are expected to wear uniforms in this college. However, third-year BA (Political Science) students from the Crescent SNEC Campus appeared for the examination wearing hijabs instead of the prescribed uniform. Principal Dr. K. Asees informed them that it was not permissible, explaining that covering the face made identification impossible.
Various Muslim organizations, including the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), have come out strongly against the Principal’s decision. These organizations declared their intent to stage strong protests if the so-called “anti-hijab policy” is not withdrawn.
The Principal, however, dismissed the controversy as unnecessary. He clarified that students are free to wear the hijab, but the objection was specifically against covering the entire face, as it hinders proper identification.
Meanwhile, Calicut University Syndicate member M.K. Arjun has sent a letter to Vice Chancellor Dr. P. Raveendran, requesting an official policy on the dress code for students on campus and in examination halls. In his letter, Arjun emphasized that if a student’s face is not visible, identification becomes impossible, leading to potential impersonation and malpractice during examinations. He suggested that a University directive on dress code would benefit all colleges under its purview.
This report from Calicut University adds to similar demands seen in the past. A couple of years ago, female students from the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College requested permission to wear hijabs inside operation theatres.
The promotion of hijab-clad students in colleges has become increasingly contentious, with several incidents reported in Kerala and Karnataka. Students demanding exemptions from college or school uniforms and seeking segregation have sparked debates. When objections are raised, these incidents are often amplified through coordinated efforts across the country, portraying the students as victims and building a broader narrative.
