UDUPI:
The ‘hijab’ controversy in Udupi district of Karnataka on Saturday spilled into the streets with a group of students of two junior colleges at Kundapur taking out a procession in the town wearing saffron shawls demanding ban on headscarves on the campuses. Hindu boy students of Kundapur junior college and R N Shetty college who staged the protest, said they will continue to wear the shawls if Muslim girl students are allowed to wear hijabs.
Also Read: Hijab row: Won’t allow ‘Talibanisation’ of education system, says Karnataka BJP Chief
In view of the prevailing tension, a holiday was declared for the R N Shetty college after a meeting of college management and the police. Security has been tightened in the town, police sources said.
Protest against #Hijab continued even today also at #Bhandarkar private college at #Kundapura. This time #Hindu girl students wearing #saffronshawls came to college protesting against hijab. pic.twitter.com/8kmB8M1w3i
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) February 5, 2022
Students of the junior college, who took part in the procession till their college gates, later attended classes after removing their shawls. The college development committee, which met Saturday, decided to ban wearing of hijab and saffron shawls inside classrooms. Students are, however, allowed to enter the campus wearing hijab and shawls. Only prescribed uniform will be allowed inside classrooms.
Also Read: Karnataka bans clothes that disturb harmony, public order
The committee also decided to allow the hijab-clad girl students to sit in a separate room in the college building in view of the criticism that they were made to sit outside the gate in the last three days. PTI
Also Read: ‘Hijab’ row takes political colour in Karnataka