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Maharashtra

Mumbai College Sparks Outcry with Dress Code Ban On Religious Attire; Students Divided, Legal Battle Looms

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2 months ago

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Mumbai: As Acharya Marathe College in Chembur continues to prohibit naqab, hijab, and burqa on the campus, the female Muslim students who wear this customary attire are chartering varied courses.

Following the Bombay High Court (HC) order upholding the college’s right to enforce a dress code, several students, including men, have left the college for other institutes. Among those still there, some have started taking off their coverings in the classrooms, while nine others who had moved HC against the restrictions are barred from classes.

About The Controversy

The college caused controversy in May after it introduced a ‘dress code’ for all undergraduates students, requiring them to only wear ‘formal’ and ‘decent’ clothes. Specifically forbidden are religious attire including hijab, naqab, burqa, stole, and cap. The diktat was challenged as “discriminatory and infringing on religious and personal freedoms”.

After a favourable order from the court on June 26, the college started evicting from classrooms not only those donning religious attire, but also those wearing torn and printed jeans and t-shirts. While the college refuses to relent, the petitioners are considering appealing before the Supreme Court. Even as they evaluate the implications, including the considerable cost, they make it a point to come to the college daily. They go to the college, get themselves pictured in front of the gate, and return home.

“We need to show that we intend to study here,” said one of them. However, a few others are choosing other colleges to avoid loss of education, without having to compromise on religion.

Students On The Hijab Row

Nisha Ansari, a second-year BSc student, said that she has applied for a leaving certificate. “I can’t bring myself to remove my naqab and burqa. Religion is important for me and I can’t lose my identity,” she said, adding, “I just hope to find a college that would allow me to wear them.” Inayatullah Shah, a third-year BCom student, also switched colleges after being asked to remove his skullcap.”

“I usually wear kurta, pajamas, and a cap. I tried explaining to college authorities that it’s a cultural dress, not a religious one. There’s a logical fallacy in what they are saying – there’s no correlation between clothes and academics. Education is all about hard and smart work, not about what you wear,” he said.

A considerable number of students have reluctantly fallen in line. A third-year science student, who earlier wore burqa, now attends without it. The staff wouldn’t even let her cover her head with a dupatta (shawl).

“I now just sit in a corner of the classroom and keep to myself,” she said.

Meanwhile, the college has softened towards other clothing items, as it now allows students to wear ‘plain’ jeans.

“The security lets us in if we have plain jeans on, but the printed ones are still not allowed,” said Samir Choudhary, a third-year BCom student.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 : Polling Booths Increased To 10,111 In Mumbai As Voter Capacity Reduced To 1,250

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41 mins ago

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September 20, 2024

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The number of polling stations designated in the Greater Mumbai area is now 10 thousand 111

An increase of 218 polling stations compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024

Now average up to 1200 voters per center

In view of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections-2024, as per the instructions given by the Hon’ble Election Commission of India from time to time, polling stations in the Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban Districts) have been streamlined with a view to enable voters to vote easily. Due to this streamlining program, the number of polling stations in Greater Mumbai area has increased to 10 thousand 111. Compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024, the number of polling stations has increased by 218. In this, the average number of voters per polling station will now be 1200 from the earlier average of 1500, thus the number of polling stations has increased and as a result will help increase the volume and speed of voting.

As per the instructions of Hon’ble Election Commission of India and State Election Commission, District Election Officer and Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Shri. Under the guidance of Bhushan Gagrani, preparations are being made in a planned manner by the administration in the background of the upcoming assembly elections. The polling stations have been streamlined on this line.

The number of polling stations has been fixed keeping in mind that the average number of voters will be up to 1200 per polling station while streamlining the polling stations in Greater Mumbai area. So, the polling stations in the same location with more polling stations have been decentralised. Therefore, the number of polling booths has increased in some parts of Greater Mumbai as compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024.

In line with this, a meeting was held yesterday evening (dated September 19, 2024) at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters with the representatives of political parties to inform about the regularization of polling stations in various constituencies in Brihanmumbai. District Election Officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to provide information about polling station reorganization and to create awareness among the voters. Commissioner Mr. Under the guidance of Bhushan Gagrani, Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. (Mrs.) Ashwini Joshi held a meeting with the representatives of various political parties and gave detailed information about it.Additional District Election Officer and Mumbai City Collector Shri. Sanjay Yadav, Special Duty Officer (Election) Shri. Vijay Balamwar, concerned officials and representatives of various political parties attended the meeting.

At the time of Lok Sabha General Election – 2024, there were a total of 2 thousand 509 polling stations in Mumbai city district. So, in Mumbai suburb district this number was 7 thousand 384. Due to the streamlining programme, the number of polling stations has increased to 2 thousand 537 and 7 thousand 574 respectively i.e. 10 thousand 111 in the entire Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai city and Mumbai suburb districts).

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Maharashtra

Dharamveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project will continue to operate from 7 am to 12 pm, seven days a week.

Published

43 mins ago

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September 20, 2024

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Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project will continue to operate from 7 am to 12 pm, seven days a week.

Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project through Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is being constructed from Shamaldas Gandhi Marg (Princess Street) flyover to Worli end of Bandra – Worli Sea Bridge. Till date 92 percent work of this project has been completed.

Ganeshotsavadarmayan Mumbai coastal road project was open for 24 hours traffic from 06 September 2024 to 18 September 2024. Now, starting from Saturday 21 September 2024, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project will be open for traffic from 7 AM to 12 PM, 7 days a week. So, it will be closed for traffic from 12 pm to 7 am.

The South Channel from Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk, Rajni Patel Chowk (Lotus Junction) and Amersons Udyan to Marine Drive and the North Channel from Marine Drive, Haji Ali and Rajni Patel Chowk (Lotus Junction) to Bandra Worli Sagari Setu (Rajiv Gandhi Sagari Setu) are open for traffic. will stay

Meanwhile, Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road Project (South) is progressing rapidly. Drivers should strictly follow speed limit, traffic rules. Follow traffic rules. Take extra care while driving. A humble appeal is being made on behalf of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration to avoid accidents and cooperate with the municipal administration.

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Maharashtra

WR’s MAJOR BLOCK BETWEEN GOREGAON AND KANDIVALI

Published

52 mins ago

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September 20, 2024

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To facilitate the construction of the 6th line between Goregaon and Kandivali, a major block of 10 hours will be taken on the Up and Down Slow lines and Down Fast line between Goregaon and Kandivali stations from 00:00 hrs to 10.00 hrs during the intervening night of Saturday/ Sunday, i.e. on
21st/22nd September, 2024.

According to a press release issued by Shri Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the block, all Up Slow line trains will run on the Up Fast line from Borivali to Goregaon. Similarly, all Down Slow line trains will run on the Down Fast line from Andheri, and these trains will be dealt at Platform No. 7 of Goregaon station. Between Goregaon and Borivali stations, these Down Slow line trains will run on the 5th line and due to unavailability of platforms, these trains will not halt at Ram Mandir, Malad and Kandivali stations during the block period. It may also be noted that all Down Fast trains will run on Down Slow line from Andheri to Virar after 04.30 hrs till the completion of block period. Additionally, a few Churchgate – Borivali Slow train services will be short-terminated and reversed from Goregaon station.

Passengers are also informed that UP and DOWN Mail/Express trains will be subject to delays of approximately 10 to 20 minutes during the block period.

Some suburban trains will be cancelled/short terminated during the block. List of trains cancelled/short terminated is enclosed as Annexure I & Annexure II. Detailed information to this effect is available with concerned Station Masters. Passengers are requested to please take note of the above arrangements.

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