Mangaluru: The Udupi Jilla Muslim Okkoota on Monday wrote to the Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University requesting him to allow Hijab-wearing students to attend the examinations.

In the letter written the organization stated that it was needless to explain the process and circumstances which lead to the barring of Hijab wearing girls into the educational institution premises.

“Educational institutes under the preview of your office are obliged to follow the interim directive. As your office is well aware of the examination process of degree students has already begun and aggrieved students are being subjected to denial of attending the examination, in spite of their completion of academic process for 2 to 3 years. Their hard work and dedication are at the risk of being wiped off if they are denied the opportunity of attending the examination,” the letter added.

“We request your good office to kindly permit Hijab wearing girls to attend the crucial examination, using the legal space given by the Constitutional bodies, in whatever practical manner your office thinks it wise. Your decision decides the fate of hundreds of minority girls who are aspiring for academic advancement.” It further added

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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.