A significant controversy has erupted at the M.E.S. College in Chikkamagaluru after the college administration allegedly barred two students from attending classes for wearing traditional Ayyappa Malas (beaded necklaces), typically worn by devotees undertaking the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The incident quickly escalated, drawing in local BJP and Bajrang Dal leaders, leading to a heated confrontation with the college management.
The Incident: Barred for Devotion
According to reports, two students arrived at M.E.S. College wearing the distinctive black clothes and Ayyappa Malas, a spiritual practice observed for a period before the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The college administration reportedly asked them to remove the malas, citing concerns about "uniformity" within the institution. When the students refused, they were allegedly made to stand outside the classrooms.
Confrontation: Political and Religious Outcry
The incident quickly garnered attention, with local political and religious groups intervening:
- BJP and Bajrang Dal Visit: BJP District President Devaraj Shetty and Yuva Morcha President Santhosh, along with other Bajrang Dal members, promptly arrived at the college.
- Heated Exchange: A verbal altercation ensued between the college administration and the visiting leaders. The activists questioned the college's stance on uniformity, drawing parallels with students who wear burqas, asking if that also disrupted uniformity.
- "Not a Government Order": The college administration stated that a rule had been implemented this year, prohibiting students from wearing malas. However, the protesting leaders argued that this was a college-specific rule, not a government directive, pointing out that government officials wear malas while on duty.
Ayyappa Chants in Principal’s Office
The situation escalated within the Principal's office, where BJP and Bajrang Dal workers reportedly raised Ayyappa Swami slogans in protest against the college's decision. This act highlighted the deep religious sentiments attached to the practice and the groups' strong objection to what they perceived as an infringement on religious freedom.
Resolution (for now): Students Allowed to Attend
Following the intense confrontation and protests, the college administration eventually agreed to allow the students to attend classes while wearing their Ayyappa Malas. This decision brought a temporary resolution to the immediate standoff.
The incident at M.E.S. College in Chikkamagaluru underscores the ongoing sensitivities surrounding religious attire and practices in educational institutions, often leading to debates on individual religious freedom versus institutional rules on uniformity.
