Controversy Over Hijab-Saffron Shawl Lingers In Karnataka's Colleges

The controversy over hijab-saffron shawl continues in the junior colleges of Karnataka's Udupi district. The students in two junior colleges are defying government's order mandating uniforms.

The order was issued by state education department on Saturday.

On Monday a group of students studying at Venkataramana College in Kundapur arrived at the college in a procession wearing saffron shawls. The college principal and police present there stopped them from entering the college premises.

The students insisted that they will not remove the saffron shawls if hijab-wearing girls were allowed in classes. They agreed to enter the classes removing their shawls only after the principal assured them that no hijab-wearing students will be allowed to enter classrooms.

At the Government PU College in Kundapur also, the principal talked to Muslim girl students who came wearing hijabs and explained to them the government’s order. As the students continued to insist on wearing the headscarves, they were asked to go to a separate room arranged for them.

(With inputs from PTI)