Sunil Kataria

UDIPI India (Reuters). Ayesha Imthiaz, a Hindu Muslim devout who regards wearing a hijab as a sign of devotion to Prophet Mohammad says that a decision by her college to remove hijab-wearing female students is an insult and will make her choose between education or religion.

The 21-year old student hails from Udupi, a district in southern Karnataka. It was there that protests against the ban on head scarves began.

She told Reuters that her religion was being questioned by a “temple of education” she had once considered.

She said, after five years studying at Udupi’s Mahatma Gandhi Memorial college.

She added that several Muslim girls had been threatened and forced to remain indoors after protesting the ban.

According to college officials, students may wear their hijab anywhere on campus. They are only required to remove it in the classroom.

Udupi is located in Karnataka’s coastal region that is religiously sensitive. It is home to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls a stronghold.

This stand-off is causing fear and anger in minority Muslims who claim that their constitution gives them freedom to wear whatever they like. Protests have increased, with hundreds protesting the ban in Kolkata and Chennai.

A judge of the high state court sent petitions challenging this ban to another panel last week.

International attention is focused on the issue as it will test religious freedom under the Indian Constitution.

U.S. Office of International Religious Freedom, (IRF), stated Friday that hijab bans violate religious freedom and stigmatize or marginalize girls and women.

India’s Foreign Ministry responded on Saturday by saying that outside criticisms of internal problems were not welcomed and was currently under review.

Imthiaz, six other Muslim girls who protest the ban said they were determined to defend their religious freedom against some Hindu students hardliners and some of their close friends.

Imthiaz expressed concern that friends were pointing out to us how the hijab ‘… has damaged our relationships and mental health.