Kolkata:
Do you have to wear a burqa if you are going to teach at a Muslim University? There is nothing in the rule book that says so, but students of Aliah University in Kolkata have demanded this.
While seven women teachers succumbed to the pressure, one did not. Twenty four-year-old Shirin Niddya has been shifted to another university campus for fear that her presence might cause trouble.
Just two weeks after she started teaching Bengali literature at Aliah University's Kolkata campus, students union there demanded all women lecturers would have to wear burqas.
"During mid-April, the students Union called us and told all eight women teachers to wear a burqa. Students union said don't discuss this with authorities, just follow our order. We have forced students to wear burqas, if you don't you will have to leave the job," said Shirin.
The students union denies strong arm tactics but admits that they suggested that in keeping with the tradition of the Calcutta High Madrassah where the Aliah University has a campus, the burqa would be most suitable.
"We had told the authorities that this is a madrassah. The way she used to dress, it was an eyesore for us. The university doesn't have a dress code but that doesn't mean you can violate the madrassah's tradition. We felt bad. So we objected," said Md. Atiqur Rehman, General Secretary of Kolkata Madrassah Students Union.
Worried about trouble breaking out, the university shifted Shirin Middya to its Salt Lake campus where she has been for the last three months. She has written to the government about her predicament and has been promised action.
"This is a one-off incident, but the issue is serious. I have told the vice chancellor to look into it and give me a report. If someone is guilty, take action against them. This should not happen, this is against human rights," said Abdus Sattar, Minister for Minority Development.
While Shirin awaits government action, her resolve to stick to her point remains unshaken.
"If anyone wants to wear a burqa freely, that is fine. But force is not necessary, it is not good," said Shirin.
Shirin knows she has an uphill battle ahead of her. But she is ready to fight. What bothers her is not the personal onslaught, but the principle. She will wear a burqa when she wants to, and if she wants to. No one can force her into it.