Hijab Row: Student Stopped From Entering Karnataka College For Donning Tilak On Head. Asked To Remove It

College authorities at the Indi town of Karnataka prevented a man from entering the college premises on Friday, for donning a vermilion on his head. The student was asked to remove the vermillion.

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New Delhi: College authorities at the Indi town of Karnataka prevented a man from entering the college premises on Friday, for donning a vermilion (tilak) on his head. The student was asked to remove the vermillion, news agency the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. 

The student was allegedly stopped by the lecturers at the gate, who asked him to erase the vermillion first to enter college, the PTI report said. 

There was a serious verbal scuffle between the teachers and the student after the latter was told that the customary vermilion on the forehead was also creating problems along with hijab and saffron scarves, according to the report. 

The Karnataka High Court’s interim order and the state government’s order restricted the use of hijab and saffron scarves, in view of the hijab row in the state. However, the orders did not restrict anyone from sporting vermilion on the forehead, the PTI report said. 

In the High Court, counsels for Muslim girls who challenged the state government’s order argued that hijab was as innocent a religious practice as vermillion on the forehead, bangles, turban worn by Sikhs and wearing Rudrakshas. 

On Friday, an English lecturer working as a guest faculty in a college in Tumakuru district of Karnataka resigned from her job after she was asked to remove her hijab while teaching, according to media reports.