University Teacher In West Bengal Barred From Class After Refusing To Wear A Burqa

From Jihad Watch:

University lecturer barred from class after refusing to wear a burqa


We always hear in the West that women who choose to don the veil are doing so of their own free will, and are perfectly free not to wear it. Yet the leader of the students' union at Aliah University is willing to put this kind of pressure on Sirin Middya, and he is by no means alone in this. "Woman not allowed to teach after burqa refusal," from Sify News, July 30 (thanks to all who sent this in):



A lady teacher in West Bengal's first Muslim university, the Aliah University, was not allowed to teach after she refused to wear the burqa (veil) inside the varsity premises.

Sirin Middya, a guest lecturer of the university, along with eight other lady teachers got a 'diktat' from the leaders of the students' union to wear burqa and attend the college.



'I was asked by the leaders of the student's union to wear burqa and attend the college and if I don't abide by the diktat, they won't allow me to attend the college. Then after a few days as we were entering the university campus, they started shouting slogans 'those who are against purdah system should go to hell',' Middya told IANS.



Middya was appointed in March this year and got the union's 'diktat' in the second week of April. From April-end, she has been unable to go to the Aliah University's Calcutta Madrasah Campus.



A notice issued by the university clearly stated that 'university has no dress code, any pressure from any corner will not be allowed regarding the use of burqa inside the university campus. If anybody creates pressure on female teachers to use the burqa, necessary steps will be taken by the university authorities', she said.



'The University Grants Commission and the university itself do not prescribe any such dress code. Who are they to dictate us what we should wear and what we should not. The most unfortunate part is that the students and leaders of students union are forcing us to wear burqa. A few of the teachers gave into their demand but I didn't,' Middya said.



According to her, she has no issues with wearing a burqa - but if she dons one, it would be of her own free will.



'Most of the teachers do not like the diktat of the students to wear burqa. But they have no option but to accept it. This is Talibanisation of educational premises and there is no one to our rescue,' she said....



Posted by Robert on July 31, 2010 5:12 AM