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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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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.

Maharashtra

Opposition protests against the government for declaring Wari as urban Naxal

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Mumbai: On the fourth day in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the opposition created a ruckus over declaring Wari as urban Naxal and has made serious allegations against the government of insulting Wari. On the fourth day of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the opposition has made several serious allegations against the ministers of the government while protesting on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan. The ministers included in the cabinet of the state government are misusing their powers and occupying government lands in the state.

Just as the ruling front is trying to defame the holy pilgrimage of Hinduism, Wari, by calling Vitthurai and Warkars urban Naxalites and urban Maoists, in the same way it is insulting Wari Palkhi. This is reprehensible. Members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi staged a strong protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan against the ruling front and accused the government of insulting Wari. In this demonstration, the members also raised slogans cursing the government and said that due to the scamster government, farmers are dying of hunger and the ministers are calling the laborers urban Naxalites. Shiv Sena leader of opposition Ambadas Danve, Vijay Varditwar, Sachin Ahir, Jitendra Ahawat etc. participated in this protest.

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Maharashtra

‘Welfare Of Police Personnel Is Top Priority For Home Department,’ Says Minister Yogesh Kadam

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Mumbai: While responding to a question in the Maharashtra Legislative Council regarding the deaths of on-duty police personnel, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Yogesh Kadam, emphasized that “the welfare of police officers and staff is a key responsibility of the Home Department.”

He informed the House that the causes of death among police personnel in the state vary and include illness and suicide. To address these concerns and safeguard the health of police personnel, the government has undertaken several initiatives.

🔹 Free Treatment for 40 Diseases at 270 Hospitals

Police personnel and their families can avail free treatment for 40 different diseases across 270 hospitals. In Mumbai alone, these services are available at 34 hospitals.

🔹 Special Cancer Screening Camps

Special camps for cancer screening are being organized with support from Tata Hospital and other medical institutions.

🔹 Mental Health Initiatives

To strengthen mental well-being, yoga camps and gym facilities have been launched at various police stations.

🔹 Record Recruitment During Current Tenure

The state government has filled over 85% of vacant posts in the police force, marking the highest recruitment under this administration.

🔹 Compassionate Appointments Without Conditions

In the unfortunate event of an in-service death, a family member of the deceased police personnel is offered a government job on compassionate grounds, without any conditions.

Minister Kadam reiterated the Home Department’s commitment to ensuring the social, mental, and medical welfare of all police personnel and their families.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Urdu Academy should be formed, funds and staff should be appointed for the promotion of Urdu language Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the immediate formation of Urdu Academy to promote Urdu. He said that academies of other languages ​​including Gujarati and Marathi are active, but the condition of Urdu Academy is pathetic. Earlier there were 25 employees in this academy, but now only the superintendent is left. The remaining 24 have retired. The government needs to pay attention to the plight of Urdu.

The formation of this academy will promote Urdu. Azmi demanded that the Urdu Academy is facing difficulties due to the provision of funds. He said that the government allocates Rs 1 crore on paper, but this fund is not provided. Abu Asim Azmi said that Urdu is the language of our country. Whenever the Chief Minister or any other minister speaks in the House, they resort to Urdu poetry. But when it comes to the establishment of Urdu Academy and the development of Urdu language, the government is doing injustice

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