Indian media suffers from a dhimmi mentality.  In its anxiety to appease the Muslim jehadis, they brand Hindus as “Fanatics”.  Here is what really happened in the words of Ganesh Prabhu, Correspondent of SVS College Bantwal.

Sri Venkataramana Swamy College, Bantwal has been providing degree education to the students of this rural area over the last 41 years. Out of the thousands of students who have studied here, nearly 15% to 20% have beenfrom Muslim and Christian communities. Besides, the Principal of our sister institution, Sri Venkataramana Swamy Pre-University College, Bantwal, is Prof. K.P.Soofie, who is a Muslim and Ms. Sakeen Nasser, faculty in our college is the daughter in-law of famous writer Ms. Sara Aboobacker is a muslim & there are 23 muslim lady students. On the faculty of all the institutions run by the Sri Venkataramana Swamy Vidyavardhaka Sangha (R), Bantwal, there are Hindus, Jains, Muslims and Christians.  At present around 200 students belonging to Minority communities are pursuing their studies here.

Since the inception of the college we have not faced any untoward incidents at the college concerning the religion or caste of the students.  However, in the beginning of this academic year, a newly admitted student in  I B.Com, Ms. Aysha Asmin, started attending classes wearing a half-burkha ignoring the instructions given to her at the time of the admission. We allow the Muslim students to come in burkha to the college.  But they are expected to remove it while sitting inside the class room.  This has been the practice of the institution right from the beginning.
When Ms. Aysha Asmin refused to comply with the established practice, her father was informed of her non-compliance. But the father said that it was against his religion to allow the girl to come to the college without wearing burkha, and so he would take her back and admit her to some other institution.  Even the girl said that she would rather quit the college than stop wearing burkha. After this she stopped attending classes.

Again after 10 days (17-8-2009) she came back with the father to attend the classes with the burkha.  Once again we requested her not to wear
burkha.  Immediately (within 2 minutes) after she and her father left the college, the media people entered the Principal chamber and took some information and gave a wide publicity of their own version of issue which was totally wrong. The student recorded the conversation between her and the Principal and other faculty members which was the cause of concern. Her intension of coming to the college was found to be doubtful.

The next day all the other media people joined hands and blown up the issue which was so small and now even it has become an international issue.

The most worrying matter is that she accused in the T.V. Channel interview that Mr.Bharth of III B.Com (President of the Student Union 2009-10) did harass her which she did not complained to the Principal.  Her motive and intention it seems was purely to create problems and students unrest in the campus.

I make it clear that the college has not suspended the said student from the college. She is welcome to attend the classes, if she is willing to obey the rules and regulations of the college.

I hereby appeal to the public not to drag religion into educational institutions.  The college has been, is and will be secular.

*Other Details :*
1) She was informed of the college rules and regulations very clearly by a senior teacher before admissions.
2) She did not take permission to wear burkha inspite of clear instructions given to her.
3) She signed the declaration at the time of admissions that she will abide by the rules and regulations of the college.
4) When she was wearing burkha a senior muslim lady Lecturer explained her politely to agree with the traditions of the college.
5) When the students complained with the principal regarding this matter again and again Principal called her and another student Ms. Azramma and explained rules and regulations.
6) Where as Azramma heeded to our advice and removed burkha while attending the classes, Ms.Aysha did not respond to our advice and did not attend classes thereafter.
7) It was half burkha she was wearing and not the scarf as published by the media.