Udupi: Two-burqa clad students, who had petitioned the Karnataka High Court seeking wearing of hijab during teaching hours in classroom, returned without appearing for pre-university examination, as the college administration did not allow them to enter the examination hall here on Friday.
Alia Assadi and Resham entered the college and reached the examination hall, but were defiant not to remove the hijab. They urged the college staff to allow them to write the exam wearing burqa. The college administration, however, denied them entry into the examination hall. After spending some time on the college premise, both the students left the scene.
Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh had earlier said students wearing hijab will not be allowed to write the II PUC examinations. The invigilators have also been restricted to wear a hijab during the exams.
The two students were among the six who had protested against the hijab ban during teaching hours. The college principal on Thursday had asked the Muslim students who protested for hijab to collect their exam hall tickets until last moment.
The pro-hijab protest in January had erupted into a major political controversy after some Hindu students turned up in saffron shawls in retaliation. The row spread to other parts of the state even as the state government insisted on dress code in educational institutions.
The matter went to the high court. After a prolonged court battle, the Court dismissed pro-hijab petitions stating wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam.
With fears of hijab controversy resurfacing, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of exams.
The examination is being conducted in 1,076 examination centres and a total of 3,46,936 male and 3,37,319 female students are appearing for the exams.
The practical lab tests will be held in 1,030 examination centres and 2,67,349 students are likely to appear for it. (UNI)
