Hijab row: Students stopped at college gate

Mangaluru: Muslim girl students of the Government Pre-university College at Kundapur in Udupi, who reached the institution wearing ‘hijab’ (headscarf) were stopped at the gate by the college principal on Thursday.

The principal informed them that they are not allowed to wear hijab inside classrooms and asked them to remove the head dress and enter classes.

The students argued with the principal and told him that the government order on status quo has not mentioned the Kundapur college. The principal told them that the circular applies to the whole state.

The college had witnessed a grave situation on Wednesday when around 100 Hindu boys came to classes wearing saffron shawls to protest against the girls’ wearing hijabs. They, however, did not repeat their protest on Thursday.

Home Minister: only uniform allowed

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has said only the uniform prescribed by educational institutions are allowed and not hijab or saffron scarfs. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function on Thursday, he said educational institutions must be kept free from such controversies. ‘’A feeling of oneness must prevail in these institutions,’’ he added.  (PTI)