Kerala medicine students seek special gear for Hijab norms during surgery. Seven medical students at a college in Kerala have written to the principal with suggestions on how to strike a balance between adhering to hijab regulations and carrying out surgical duties, a move that has the potential to revive the heated discussion over hijab on campus.
In a letter to the college administration, the students, who are enrolled in the MBBS programme at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, said that, in accordance with their religious convictions, “wearing the hijab is mandatory for Muslim women under all circumstances.”
“Hijab-wearing Muslims have a difficult time, finding a balance between donning complaint religious attire and maintaining modesty while also complying with hospital and operation room regulations (sic),” the letter reads.
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As Kerala medicine students seek special gear for Hijab norms during surgery, the next section makes suggestions for alternatives based on the attire used by medical professionals around the globe and the choices provided by businesses that produce apparel for surgical procedures.
“Long sleeve scrub jackets and surgical hoods are available which allow us to maintain sterile precautions as well as our hijab,” the letter states, requesting the principal to allow them to wear these at the earliest.
Principal Dr. Lynette Morris said that a committee has been formed to discuss the students’ demands.
“The demand of the students cannot be accepted for now. International standards are maintained in operation theatres. The patient’s safety is paramount,” she told the media.
He added that the committee established for this purpose would come up with a resolution within 10 days and that he cannot decide on this issue alone.
The appeal by the students is made in light of the events that occurred in Karnataka last year following the state government, which was then led by the BJP, banning the hijab on campuses. One side of the debate claimed that religious practice had no place in educational institutions, while the other saw the ban on the hijab as repression of minority rights.
The case was heard in court. Since wearing the headscarf is not a requirement for practicing Islam, the Karnataka High Court upheld the government’s ruling. The Supreme Court heard a challenge to this decision. One judge upheld the high court decision, but the other judge disagreed, and a two-judge panel issued a divided decision. According to the Supreme Court, a three-judge bench will be established to hear the case.
