Udupi ( Karnataka): Hours before the Karnataka High Court take up the hearing of Hijab petition, one more fresh hijab controversy erupted in MGM College in Udupi on Monday morning, where Muslim girls staged Dharna to allow them to wear Hijab. Hindu boys and girls students wearing saffron shawl have staged counter-protest, not to allow Muslim girls to wear hijabs. 

On the other hand, Hindu students demanded that the Muslim girl students remove their Hijab.

Hindu students of the college have warned that they will wear saffron shawls to college if the Muslim girl students wear Hijab.

The Hindu students are quoting the recent rule passed by the state government not to wear Hijab inside school and college premises. Further, both Hindu boys and girls insisted Muslim girls to adhere the rules of state government and demanded to maintain uniformity.

Further Hindu boys and girls pointed out that no one has forced them to wear a saffron shawl, they stated that no one has distributed the shawl, they have worn it their own.

But Muslim students who gathered at large numbers in college premises shouted slogan against College management allow them to attend the classes with hijab. They have stated that wearing hijab is their fundamental right. They further accused that there is an attempt to destroy their education by raising hijab issue suddenly.

The principal of the college held meeting with students of both groups and asked the Muslim girl students to remove their Hijab while entering the classroom from February 8.

Hindu students have warned that they will wear the saffron shawl, dhoti and Rudraksha beads if Muslim girl students will not remove their Hijab. Hindu Jagarana Vedike who already organized the students, warned the students to stop wearing of Hijab inside the college premises. Meanwhile, Hindu boys are shouting slogans of Jai Sriram, Vande Mataram.

Udupi District police have deployed more police force to the MGM campus and requested the college authority to send both groups to home. Today College has announced holiday, but practical exams are going on.

Muslim students have criticized that earlier they were allowed to wear hijabs. But suddenly Principal told them not to attend classes by wearing a hijab.