A matter of conscience and respect for labor

The “reactionary” move of the newly appointed rector at Boğaziçi University sparked a reaction from students and faculty members.
Those who ignore the liberal and liberalizing roles of the universities really have difficult times. Defending the bans in the strongholds of liberal thought, attempting to assume a role to monitor attire and keeping the students away from the classrooms are not things we can approve of.
Is there any “law” prohibiting the headscarf at the universities? No. Quite the contrary, the Higher Education Law states that students are free to wear any clothing or attire at institutions of higher education, as long as it does not violate the legislation in effect. So where does the ban come from? In its interpretation of this legal provision, the Constitutional Court ruled that the headscarf could not be considered proper attire under this law. The law says it is allowed whereas civil servants offer a restrictive interpretation. This is what is called “arbitrary rule.”
In an attempt to end this arbitrariness, Parliament amended the Constitution in February to eliminate discrimination between students by emphasizing the right to education and the equal opportunity principle. But this time, civil servants who are used to arbitrary rule concluded that Parliament was not allowed to amend the Constitution. The Constitutional Court had no right or authority to take such an action.
Let’s just say that it is forbidden to wear the headscarf at universities. Recently, Yasemin Çongar from the Taraf daily expounded on the matter, saying, “Just because it is banned does not necessarily mean that it is just.” The ban does not stop the headscarf from being a right that individuals can claim. The history of humanity is full of examples of rights gained after a struggle against bans. Nobody should be expected to accept the bans. This prohibition closely concerns a vast majority of the people in this country. At least 70 percent of the Turkish people support lifting this ban at the universities. That is to say, the people are asking for the ban to be lifted, whereas public officers, who are supposed to be servants of the people and make a living on the people’s taxes, resist. Can you tell me what the people should do?
Obviously, the headscarf controversy is no longer merely a legal issue. You should listen to your conscience because from now on it is also a matter of conscience. Depriving the students of their right to education at the universities should hurt people and give them sleepless nights.
Can you imagine this: You have to rank in the first 10,000 among 1.5 million examinees to be entitled to placement in a department at Boğaziçi University. To achieve this, you give up playing with your friends at an early age and instead you choose rigorous studying. You attend private courses after school instead of seeing a movie. You study hard instead of having fun with friends and family. At an early age, you feel the need and burden of having a bright future through a good education. You experience sleepless nights. Neither your body nor your mind is actually able to bear this burden. But you put forth the effort; you want to succeed -- and finally you fulfill your dream when you earn a spot at Boğaziçi University after intensive effort over at least five years. But while you are ready to take what you have earned, somebody at the gate of the university tells you that you are not allowed to be there because you are wearing a headscarf.
What would those who do not admit the young women wearing the headscarf at the gate of Boğaziçi University feel if their daughters were turned down at the university gates because of their attire? Wouldn’t they rebel? Wouldn’t they ask for actions or measures to be taken against this invalidation of their intensive labor and efforts?
Imagine the families of these students with headscarves. They have spent money for years to make sure that their daughters will get a good education; they put forth effort; they are proud of their kids. Then, a rector appears in front of the university gate to tell them they are not allowed on the university premises in particular attire.
From where do you get this right to seize the people’s rights and labors? Where is justice and equality? Where is conscience?
27.09.2008