Huge controversy breaks out as Mangaluru college bans hijab, beard; protests on

Mangaluru: Hundreds of people on Sunday gathered in front of a Mangaluru college and protested against the college administration after a ban was imposed on hijab and beard in the campus. 

Protesting students and parents of the Popular Front of India (PFI) raised slogans against the college administration and alleged that such rules are an attempt by the college authority to curb religious rights. 

Some students also expressed their dissatisfaction against the college for not increasing the duration of the lunch break to allow Muslim students to attend prayers on Fridays. 

Following a discussion with parents, students and activists, college administration has sought two weeks to sort out the issue. 

On Friday, Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Valachil campus imposed a ban on first-year Muslim women students from wearing the hijab (headscarf) in class and their male counterparts from sporting long beards.

As per the report, while the senior students were allowed to wear hijab or sport a beard, the college administration bars first year students from wearing it