Bengaluru: After recording protests by a section of students at the Govt First Grade College on Wednesday, Muslim girls draping hijab were asked to attend classes removing it.

The Hijab versus saffron shawl issue also surfaced at the Kundapur Pre-University College in Udipi District and M Visheshwaraiah Govt Arts and Commerce College in Bhadravati of Shivamogga district. Girls wearing Hijab were denied entry at the Kundapur Pre-University College on Thursday morning. The agitations came in as 27 students wore the hijab to the classroom on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the principal of the Government Degree College in Bhadravathi town of Shivamogga district, MG Umashankar said he had discussed the issue with the students and their parents.

“The issue has been solved now. They will not wear the Hijab in class,” he stated.

Tense situations prevail across several campuses as Muslim students’ are adamant about their choice to wear Hijab. Earlier, State Education Minister BC Nagesh had clearly instructed that students could come to the classroom only in uniform and not in saffron shawls or Hijab.

Since the state underway polls in 2023, the ruling party is dealing with the issue very sensitively.  The state govt has set up a committee that is looking into the matter and would come up with a decision soon. Until then students have been instructed to take off hijab while attending classes.