Kerala girl defies threats — wears jeans, not burqa

An aeronautical engineer by qualification and preparing for the civil services exam, a 23-year-old Muslim girl refuses to wear the burqa and often sports jeans despite constant threats to her life.

Rayana R Khasi has handed over the threat letters she received to the police. She has had police protection since August17, thanks to a court order, after increased threats in the last two months.

“Is it not my right to decide what I should wear? I studied in Chennai and now I am preparing for my civil service examinations. It is for convenience that I use jeans and I have covered everything that has to be fully covered,” a peeved Rayana said. Rayana is unfazed as she has the complete support of her parents and four younger sisters.

Balakrishnan, the Kasargode police station circle inspector, said the police had begun their investigations. “We were unable to trace the callers who had called from private numbers. Now she has given one number from which she received a threat call and in the next one or two days we will trace the caller and action will be taken,” he said.