India
Hijab-wearing females in Udupi have been prohibited from taking examinations
Three Muslim girls have been prevented from attending their practical examinations, which began on Monday, at the Udupi Pre-university College (PUC) in Karnataka, where the Hijab issue originated (February 28). The situation occurred when they requested permission to pass examinations while wearing their hijab, in direct defiance of the Karnataka High Court’s interim decision.
According to sources, the three students also requested that the exams be postponed by PUC principal Rudre Gowda. They claimed Gowda had threatened to file a police report against them. “We begged the principal today (February 28) once again to enable us to write the exam,” Almas AH, one of the students and a petitioner in the hijab matter, said.
“We didn’t have courses for two months, but we watched YouTube videos and prepared for the exam, and we hoped we’d get to write the exams,” she continued. The principal refused, stating that if we stayed another five minutes, he would file a police report.”
“Right now, we should have been in our labs, doing practicals, rather than being forced to leave.” “The hatred sown against hijab is shattering the goals and dreams I had from college,” she stated in a tweet on February 28.
Almas AH and two fellow female Muslim students requested to take their practical exams wearing a hijab, but the college management refused to accommodate their request. Principal Rudre Gowda explained to The Telegraph India that the kids refused to listen to him when he requested them to follow the court’s decision.
“I talked to them for a few minutes, trying to persuade them to take the examinations by removing their hijab,” I asked them to follow the rules and take the exam even if it was after 9.30 a.m. “However, they simply refused to listen to me,” he explained.
Students in Karnataka who identify as ‘Hijabi’ disobey the High Court’s order.
The six students behind the ‘Hijab row’ had written to the PUC board earlier on February 24, requesting a deferral of their practical tests. Female Muslim students in other colleges in the State similarly insisted on writing their exams with hijabs, inspired by Almas AH’s decision to prioritize ‘Hijab’ over ‘Kitaab.’
Government Pre-University College and Bhandarkar’s College of Arts and Sciences in Kundapura, as well as Dr. G Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College in Udupi, are among the colleges. By the interim ruling of the Karnataka High Court, they were also prevented from writing exams.
“We were sent back from the gates itself by police officials when we came to the college gates to request entrance to the library or to request permission to take the exam,” a ‘hijabi’ Muslim girl told the News Minute.
The Karnataka High Court upholds the ban on hijab at colleges with mandatory uniforms.
Rituraj Awasthi, the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, restated the interim ruling issued by the court on February 10, 2022, prohibiting students from wearing religious attire in classrooms, noting that it will apply to both degree and pre-university institutes with a uniform code. The court went on to say that the ruling solely affects pupils, not teachers.
The order was passed just weeks after the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order prohibiting religious clothing from being worn in educational institutions. On February 10, the Karnataka High Court issued an order instructing students to desist from wearing anything religious-related until the case is resolved.
The Hijab Debate in Karnataka
Some Muslim students at PU College in Karnataka filed a plea in the High Court last month to be allowed to attend lessons while wearing the hijab. They were denied admission to classes because the hijab is not part of the college uniform and so cannot be worn in class, according to the college administration. The students have been demonstrating while wearing burqas since then.
After meeting with the Campus Front of India (CFI), the student wing of the Islamist organization Popular Front of India (PFI) in October 2021, Muslim students began wearing hijab and burqa to school and college in defiance of uniform requirements in December 2021. The students admitted that they had spoken with the CFI.
Navi Mumbai Civic Body Bridges the Healthcare Gap with Free Screenings and Follow-up Care Across Local Centers.
The Drive
In a major boost to public health, 1,292 citizens were screened during a free cancer detection drive conducted across various health centers by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
The initiative focused on early detection for common cancers including oral, breast, and cervical cancers giving local residents access to crucial preventive care close to home. Medical teams set up diagnostic stations at Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs) to ensure seamless access, particularly for working-class and middle-income families.
Beyond basic checkups, civic health teams provided guidance on early warning signs, lifestyle risks, and the importance of routine health monitoring. Citizens identified with potential symptoms received direct referrals to municipal hospitals for further testing and subsidized follow-up treatment.
Community health drives play an essential role in saving lives by catching illnesses before they progress. By making preventive care accessible to all, NMMC continues to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the city.
Community comes together in Kukshet Village to honor Maharashtrian heritage with folk games, music, and local camaraderie.
Celebrating Tradition
Highlighting the rich cultural fabric of the region, women across Nerul gathered at the Shri Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Kukshet Village to celebrate Nag Panchami. Organized under the guidance of former Mayor Sujata Patil and local representative Suraj Patil, the annual festival brought Ward No. 23 alive with traditional music, energetic games, and community spirit.
The temple courtyard transformed into a vibrant hub of Maharashtrian heritage as over 100 local women participated in age-old folk traditions that are increasingly rare in modern urban life. Attendees filled the air with traditional Nag Panchami and Mangalagaur songs while joining hands for lively rounds of Zimma and Phugdi. The day featured classic games including Kombda, Katwatkhana, blowing into copper pots (Kalshi Phunkne), and dancing with decorated earthen pots.
Beyond the cultural performances, the gathering highlighted strong neighborhood ties. Local residents expressed deep appreciation for the safe, supportive environment fostered in the area, noting that community initiatives like these strengthen mutual trust and preserve local culture for younger generations. With smiling faces, traditional rhythms, and shared prayers for prosperity, this year’s Nag Panchami reaffirmed the power of community traditions in keeping local heritage vibrant and strong.
Meta Multispeciality Hospital in Ghansoli opens with free care for newborn baby girls and elderly citizens.
The Hospital
Access to quality healthcare just got a major boost for local families. Meta Multispeciality Hospital officially opened its doors in Ghansoli Sector 4, promising state-of-the-art medical technology alongside a deeply human approach to community care.
The facility was inaugurated by Forest Minister and Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, who toured the premises to inspect its emergency wards, OPD facilities, and advanced diagnostic machinery. Speaking to attendees, Naik praised the hospital’s leadership for prioritizing affordable, high-quality treatment for middle-class households.
What sets the hospital apart, however, is its landmark social welfare initiative announced during the opening by community leader Sagar Chougule and hospital administrator Dr. Swarna Shelke:
- Free Maternity Care for Girl Child Deliveries: To celebrate and encourage the birth of female children, the hospital will waive all delivery charges for mothers giving birth to baby girls.
- Free OPD Services for Seniors: Outpatient consultations will be entirely free for senior citizens aged 65 and above.
“Healthcare shouldn’t feel like an unbearable financial burden,” said Dr. Shelke. “Our primary goal is to bring modern medical infrastructure within reach of every everyday citizen.”
With monsoon-related illnesses on the rise, the team also plans to host free community health camps to catch seasonal infections early. By blending modern medicine with genuine community compassion, the new hospital aims to build a healthier, safer Navi Mumbai.
Over 1,200 Residents Screened in NMMC’s Latest Cancer Awareness Drive
Nerul Women Gather for Vibrant Nag Panchami Festivities
Navi Mumbai Gets New High-Tech Hospital with a Heart
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