Veil can't be forced: HC
The High Court yesterday issued a suo moto order directing the government to ensure that no woman is forced to wear borkha (veil) or religious attires at the educational institutions and offices across the country.
The court also ordered the government to ensure that the cultural activities and sports in the educational institutions are not restricted in any manner.
An HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain came up with the order following a news item published in a Bangla daily yesterday with the headline "Rani Bhabani Mahila College - Borka Na Porle Ashte Mana" meaning the students of Rani Bhabani Women's College without veils are barred from entering the college.
The news item said the Principal of the college in Natore Mozammel Haque, who joined the college two months ago, has stopped any cultural activities and sports at the college and restricted the entrance of the students (female) without borkha or veil to the college.
The HC directed the government to immediately take action against the principal for imposing restrictions on the students regarding wearing veil and stopping cultural activities and sports at the college.
The court ordered Mozammel to appear before the HC bench on August 26 to explain the matter.
It also issued a rule upon the government to explain why imposition of restriction on cultural activities and sports in the educational institutions and offices and forcing the female students to wear veil should not be declared illegal.
Secretaries to the ministries of home, education, social welfare and women affairs and Mozammel Haque have been made respondents to the rule and order.
Supreme Court lawyers barrister Mahbub Shafique and advocate KM Hafizul Alam placed the matter through an application before the HC bench.
Earlier on April 8 this year, the HC had ruled that none can force women, working at public and private educational institutions, to wear veils or cover their heads against their will.
It is their personal choice, the court said, asking the education secretary to make sure that women are not harassed by their superiors at educational institutions.
Don't force girl students to wear veil: Education Ministry
Star Online ReportThe Ministry of Education on Wednesday issued a circular directing the authorities concerned not to force female students for wearing veils or religious attires at their educational institutions.
In the circular, signed by Education Secretary Sayed Ataur Rahman, also asked the authorities not to resist female students from participating in sports and cultural activities at the institutions.
The circular was issued following the news items published in different newspapers saying that female students were forced to wear veils and religious dresses at some government and private educational institutions across the country.
The items also mentioned that the institutions had imposed restrictions on the students regarding stopping cultural activities and sports.
The circular also asked the authorities to ensure that the female students are not harassed or punished for not wearing veil.
It directed the heads of the educational institutions and the management committees to take necessary steps to ensure the matters.
The circular said the departments, directorates or education boards under the Education Ministry will take legal actions against the educational institutions and the management committees if found violating the instructions.
You can ask Indira licker Mujib, he did the same thing by forming BAKSAL, killing 40,000 people by RakhiBahini, and another millions by Famine 74.
It's time for Mujib to stand trial for his ferocities, looting by his
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