As expected the hijab row has taken a political turn in Karnataka, opposition Congress has condemned the BJP government for denying entry for Muslim students in the government pre-university and degree colleges in Udupi and Kundapura respectively.

Bandarkars’ Arts and Science college in Kundapura is now the centre of controversy, the visuals of Muslim girls wearing hijab were blocked at the college gate, college Principal has denied them to enter the college with Hijab. Girls were pleading with folded hands, requested the college principal to allow them to enter the college. However, management has strictly told them to remove the hijab and enter the classrooms. The college management has sent back the students.

According to news agency IANS, the principal of the Bhandarkars’ College of Kundapur of Udupi district told the students that as per the government’s order and the college’s guidelines, they will have to come in uniform to attend classes.

To counter the Muslim girls, few Hindu boys have tried to enter the college by wearing saffron shawls and asked Muslim students to remove their hijab. According to sources, 27 Muslim girls studying in the institute had been coming to the campus wearing hijab.

As a form of ‘protest’, some Hindu students had come to Bhandrakars’ College on Wednesday in saffron shawls. They were stopped at the entrance. the students raised slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

Despite attempts made by the Kundapura MLA, Haladi Srinivasa Shetty to resolve the issue amicably, Muslim students have refused to remove the hijab while entering the college premises.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah criticized that “BJP government is unnecessarily creating hijab issue, it is against the fundamental rights of the students. BJP has made an issue asking students to wear saffron shawls. Wearing a dress is a fundamental right, prevention of the students denying education is also violates the fundamental rights of the students. Wearing scrap or hijab is violates the practice of the religion”, he said.

U.T. Khadar, deputy leader of the opposition in the Assembly also hit back at the BJP government for politicizing the issue. Congress MLA, Zameer Ahmad alleged that BJP is misusing the students for political gain by raising the hijab issue.

However, primary and secondary education minister B.C. Nagesh hit back at Congress leaders. He criticized that congress has tried to make a political gain in the issue. Mr. Siddaramaiah is politicizing the issue for votes.

Kannada and Culture minister Sunil Kumar warned that "Udupi will not be allowed for another Taliban. Student should adhere the uniform rules, all students are equal before the law", he said. 

Meanwhile, in Bhadravathi of Shivamogga district, students of Sir MV Arts and Commerce College came to the campus wearing saffron towels and demanded that the college administration should ban the hijab.

Previously, only the Women’s Government Pre-University College in Udupi had disallowed students from wearing hijab. After more colleges in Karnataka have taken a similar stance, some under pressure from Hindutva groups, the state government has set up a committee to decide if students should be allowed into classrooms with hijabs.

Responding to the controversy, Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra on Thursday said children should neither wear hijab nor saffron shawls at schools and he has asked the police to keep watch on religious organisations that are trying to “undermine the country’s unity”, Indian Express reports.

'We want justice': Muslim students 

On Friday too, Muslim students have sat outside the Bhandarkar's college gate and read the books. Students are protesting the college management decision.

"We have requested the Principal allow us to enter the college till High Court's decision. We have used to wear hijab earlier too, the college management is giving a false statement. Our sisters and seniors wore the hijab. A few days back college management informed us not to wear hijab henceforth. We do want education and hijab too", said a student who protesting outside the college gate.