Aditi Rajput

In coastal Karnataka, a debate over the hijab, or headgear, worn by Muslim females has erupted. Political heavyweights, including Mehbooba Mufti and Rahul Gandhi, have condemned the incident on social media. A number of male students from Kundapur's Government Pre University College wore saffron shawls to class in protest of certain girls wearing hijab. Hijab-clad female students have been barred from entering schools and colleges in the coastal Karnataka region of Udupi for wearing the headscarf. Female students claim that they cannot be compelled to leave the college because of a 'sudden change in the dress code' to prohibit hijab. To counteract the hijab-wearing females, numerous Hindu guys have appeared wearing saffron shawls, but they, too, have been prevented from entering school. Karnataka Government issued an order requiring students to adhere to the uniform/dress code established by College Development Committees.