Burqa, hijabs, scarves, etc. were marked under the bans in Chembur’s Acharya Marathe College. This educational institute has taken firm steps to ensure a uniform and secular educational environment. How? By implementing a dress code that prohibits overt religious symbols. This highly debated move aims at fostering a sense of unity and prioritizing the identity of students as learners rather than their religious affiliations.
While the Le-Li gang argues about how the Burqa ban infringes on religious freedom, the college’s stance underscores the importance of creating an educational space where all students are seen first and foremost as learners. Let’s discuss
Burqa Ban – The Rationale Behind the Dress Code
The new dress code takes effect in June 2024 at Acharya Marathe College, Chembur. The rules mandate that students remove the burqa, niqab, hijab, scarves, and any other religious identifiers upon arrival at the college. There is a designated common room on the ground floor for the convenience of students for the same. A similar policy was successfully implemented via a uniform dress code policy for junior college students the previous year.
The primary aim of this dress code is not to alienate religious minorities. It is to promote a sense of equality and focus within the academic environment. Any college is a place of learning, where the primary identity of everyone present should be that of a learner or Vidyarthi. Symbols that loudly proclaim a particular religious identity can overshadow this primary identity, leading to divisions and a shift in focus away from education.
Now the seculars will demand to know if Hindu and Christian religious symbols face a similar ban in the college. Items like bindis, kalawas, shikhas, and crosses may be religious symbols, however, they do not dominate the wearer’s identity to the same extent as burqas, hijabs, or skull caps. Moreover, they allow the staff to identify students without obstruction at any given time. Thus, equating the right to wear a bindi with that of the burqa is an unfair and oversimplified comparison of religious symbols.
Addressing the Critics: The Need for a Uniform Policy
Critics of the policy will argue that banning religious attire like burqas and hijabs infringes on individual freedoms. However, it is essential to understand that the policy does not aim to suppress religious expression. It aims to ensure that the educational space remains neutral and focused on learning not personal religious preferences. Please note the list of banned articles of clothing includes scarves and head coverings. This does not include the Taweez or similar religious threads that Muslim students can wear. It only focuses on conspicuous religious symbols that can create an environment where students and teachers become overly conscious of religious identities, potentially leading to biases and distractions.
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The Le-Li gang might point out that symbols like bindis or crosses are also religious. However, these symbols are often subtle and do not overpower the wearer’s identity as a learner. In contrast, burqas and hijabs are prominent declarations of Islamic identity, which can overshadow the educational persona of the student. They make it almost impossible to maintain an environment purely dedicated to learning.
Liberals may argue: My Burqa My Choice nonsense! Here they should note that they can also choose not to wear such attire in spaces where it might lead to religious discrimination or create an atmosphere of division. The college and school is a secular space. In such zones, covert symbols do not obstruct learning but overt symbols prioritize religion above the role of a learner. If there is no religious compulsion, as many secular arguments suggest, then students should be encouraged to embrace their student identity fully and wear the prescribed uniform as a sign of respect for their educational institution.
Embracing Equality in Education
The decision by Chembur’s Acharya Marathe College to enforce a strict dress code is a bold step. It is a small initiative towards ensuring that education remains the primary focus within its walls. By asking students to remove overt religious symbols and coverings, the college is not only fostering a sense of unity. Additionally, it reinforces the idea that in a place of education, all students are equal stakeholders. This policy is about creating a neutral, distraction-free environment where students can learn and grow without the added weight of their religious identities.
In Bharat, societies and institutes often grapple with diverse religious practices. Thus, measures that prohibit identity-obstructing-religious practices can build a more inclusive and focused educational atmosphere. Let Acharya Marathe College’s initiative be seen and appreciated as a progressive step towards ensuring that every student is seen for their potential and capabilities, not their religious affiliations.
