Kolkata Teacher Quits After 'Being Asked To Stop Wearing Hijab', College Blames Row On 'Miscommunication'

The incident occurred at LJD Law College, a private law college affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Teacher Sanjida Qadar quit and stopped attending classes last week. 

A teacher at a Kolkata law college resigned after she was allegedly asked to stop wearing a hijab. However, as her resignation became public and triggered an uproar, the college denied imposing any prohibition and blamed the controversy on a "miscommunication".

According to a PTI report, the incident occurred at LJD Law College, a private law college affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Teacher Sanjida Qadar quit and stopped attending classes last week. 

She has been a teacher at the institute for three years. She tendered her resignation on June 5, alleging that the college authorities had instructed her not to wear a hijab at the workplace after May 31. The PTI report said Qadar had been wearing the headscarf at the workplace since March-April, and the issue seemingly escalated over the past week.

"The diktat from the college governing body offended my values and religious sentiments," Qadar was quoted as saying by the news agency.

The college authorities, however, claimed that it is a matter of miscommunication. The authorities said Qadar would be returning to work on June 11 after withdrawing her resignation.

After her resignation became public, the college authorities contacted her and clarified that they never prohibited her from covering her head during working hours, PTI quoted sources as saying.

In an email to Qadar, the college said that, under the dress code for all faculty members — which is periodically reviewed and assessed — she was free to use a dupatta or scarf to cover her head while taking classes.

Speaking to PTI, Gopal Das, the college governing body chairman, said there was no directive or prohibition, adding that the college authorities respect the religious sentiments of every stakeholder. 

He said Qadar will resume classes from Tuesday. “There is no misunderstanding. We engaged in prolonged discussions with her. The initial developments were the result of some miscommunication," Das said.

Qadar acknowledged that she had "received an email from the office on Monday". "I will analyse my next steps and then decide. But I am not going to the college on Tuesday," she added.