Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the police to provide protection to a young Muslim engineering graduate who says she is facing threats “for failing to wear purdah and headscarf”.
A division bench of Justices K M Joseph and M L Joseph Francis today asked Kavugoli to appear before the court on August 18.
Rayana, who belongs to Kasargod district, says she has been under pressure from orthodox elements in her community to wear a headscarf and observe purdah since June 2009, when she returned from Chennai after completing an engineering course.
"Seeing me in jeans and shirt, the local people of my community had unleashed a campaign that I had abandoned Islam. I strongly believe that I have the freedom to wear any dress of my choice," said Rayana, who is now awaiting the result of the Civil Services Preliminary Exam.
Rayana said she has been getting threatening calls and anonymous letters for over a year. "I took up the matter with the local police and the state women's commission, but the harassment has not stopped."
In the recent months, Kerala has witnessed agitations by Muslim organisations demanding that Muslim girls be allowed to wear headscarves at school.Kerala engineer says being forced to wear veil; protect her, High Court tells police