Shri Ram Sena chief's remarks on kicking out students wearing hijab stirs controversy

Hubballi, (Karnataka) Feb 2 (IANS) Shri Ram Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik's statement that students insisting on wearing a hijab to the classroom showed their terrorist mindset and they should be kicked out of the schools, has triggered a controversy in the state.Muthalik had stated on Tuesday that this stubborn mindset on wearing a hijab to the classroom will take students to terrorism. Now, they start with the hijab, later they ask for burqa and afterwards they will demand namaz and mosque. Is this your religious centre or school? Muthalik questioned.He urged the government not to allow any public debate or discourse on the issue. The students who are insisting on wearing a hijab should be issued transfer certificates and be kicked out. This mindset is dangerous, he maintained."You have freedom to wear clothes of your choice at home. But, once students enter the school premises, one has to abide by regulations. "Are you making India, a Pakistan or Afghanistan? If you demand a burqa or a hijab you can go to Pakistan," he said.The statements have stirred a controversy in the state which is already coping with the hijab row. The students agitating over wearing a hijab to class in Udupi Pre University College have approached the High Court seeking relief. The government has set up a committee to decide the issue. Until then the government has asked students not to wear a hijab. However, the students have defied the order and say that wearing a hijab is their constitutional right.
--IANS mka/bg

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