Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Updated

Udupi, Feb 18: The controversy over wearing Hijab in educational institutions spread to Milagres College, Kallianpur here on Friday February 18 with scores of students crowding at the college gate following confusion over the interim order regarding the headscarf.

Muslim students, both girls and boys, were seen standing outside the college gate. Some of them were PU students and others pursuing undergraduation.

Muslim girls arrived at the college donning burqa and Hijab. Some of them proceeded to the ladies' room where they were allowed to wear Hijab.

Strict police security has been deployed at the premises.

Exams are going on in the college, sources said.

One of the students told the media that the college has been denying entry to girls wearing Hijab for the past three days.

However, other Muslims students said that while the college allowed Hijab and burqa inside the campus, they were asked to remove them inside the classroom.

A few students claimed that it was a false rumour that the college had denied entry to Hijab wearing girls. 

"We never wore Hijab in classroom, but we have always been given permission to wear Hijab inside the campus. We are sitting in the ladies' room. The confusion has been created due to the court order," said a student.

Some of the Muslim girls continued to stand at the gate, and they were supported by Muslim boys as well.

The larger bench of the high court last week passed an interim order prohibiting students from wearing religious attire to schools and colleges, and since then, collegs across the state have sent home students wearing Hijabs. The Karnataka government too has stated that Hijabs will not be allowed in schools and colleges, including minority institutions, till the court pronounces final verdict, however, some of the ministers like Dr Ashwath Narayan have said that there is no such restriction on degree students.