AFRA ANSAR
COLOMBO- The hijab-wearing Muslim teacher, Fathima Fahmida Ranees, who was disallowed to resume work in her school told Colombo Times that she will continue to fight for her rights till she regains them.
Ranees was speaking to Colombo Times, following a press conference held at the Women’s Education and Research Center in Colombo on Monday, Feb 7.
The government-owned Trincomalee Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College principal Lingaswari’s refused to allow the hijab-wearing to resume her work despite a court order and instruction from the education ministry.
It was alleged that the principal obstructed Fahmida from resuming her duties, brought in outsiders to frighten the teacher, illegally allowed outsiders within the school premises,her neck was squeezed, perhaps, threatening to kill, instigated teachers and students against the Muslim teacher, brought students to the street illegally and in violation of covid regulations, made false accusations to enter the hospital, subjected teacher Fahmida’s fundamental rights to question and denied her religious rights enshrined in the constitution.
Added to these lawlessness the principal’s address during which she said that this Hindu College is for Tamils and other cultures have no place, exposing her racist mindset, arrogance and lawlessness.
Ranees said that her husband and family are supportive of her stand and she wants to show the world that racism cannot be tolerated in democratic country like Sri Lanka.
“ Choosing our own clothes is a fundamental right so long as it is not obscene,” Ranees said.
Meanwhile, Swastika Arulingam, a lawyer who represented Bahmita, said during the discussion that a writ petition has been filed by teacher Bahmita in 2021 regarding the Abaya issue of Sri Shanmuga School. “ The court, after hearing both the parties, issued notice to the opposing petitioners to appear in the case. Thereafter, when the case was taken up on January 19, the Attorney-at-Law from the State Attorney’s Department agreed to allow the plaintiffs to enter into a smooth settlement. That is, on behalf of the petitioner (teacher) I complied and we were negotiating the settlement. It was a consultation. While it was being discussed, the Ministry of Education sent a letter to the teacher, Bahmita, asking her to go to the school on the second of February to accept the permanent position. It was only when he went that the issue took place at that place. So I had presented these matters in court Monday, Feb 07 when the case was taken up for hearing. Settlement is not possible due to the fact that such an issue has arisen while trying to resolve the issue, so the court has asked the court to take up the matter in March and said that it will hold hearings in March. Swastika Arulingam noted.
The discussion was attended by female journalists, women social activists and female human rights activists.
