Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh on Monday said the students must follow the Udupi dress code as the law of the land need to be followed.
“Law of the land has to be follow. If they (students wearing hijab) have to study, then they must adhere to the Udupi dress code prescribed by schools/administration,” the minister said.
“Protesting students asked to wear a uniform and attend classes but they chose to sit in a separate room and protest,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Nagesh said the students wearing hijab (headgear) are allow in the classroom out of courtesy.
“Students protesting outside campus allowed inside the campus as a courtesy. They asked to wear a uniform and attend classes,” the state education minister said.
He further said, “They chose to sit in a separate room and continue the protest. Students must adhere to dress code to attend classes.”
Meanwhile, a student said, “Won’t remove our hijab until High Court orders. They (administration) will not allow us in classrooms with hijabs so we will sit outside in halls.
The girls said they have been sitting in the classroom while no session was conducted for them.
BC Nagesh had earlier said the problem occurred when the girls started wearing headscarves. He commented on the whole hijab fiasco and said “They were not wearing the hijab earlier and this problem started only 20 days ago.”
The Karnataka High Court has decided February 8 after a student of the girl’s pre-university college in the Udupi district. Filed a petition seeking permission to wear a hijab inside the classroom.