Bhatkal: Hundreds of students under banner of 'Bhatkal Muslim Student Union' staged a protest in front of the Mini Vidhan Soudha in Bhatkal on Saturday, condemning the denial of the entry of hijab-clad girl students into PU colleges in Udupi and Kundapur.

Holding placards that read 'Hijab is our rights', the students shouted slogans against the decision taken by the college administrative board.

In a memorandum, they mentioned the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 14 and Article 25 of the constitution of India and in the wake of recent unconstitutional conduct of the principle of government college of Kundapur preventing the girl students from entering in the college premises is a gross infringement of the above right. So also, so it is mandate of law enunciated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in various judgement upholding the practice of religious minorities guaranteed under Article 25 of the constitution of India, it stated.
 
The Article 25 of the Constitution of India speaks about the freedom of religion to all the citizen irrespective of their caste, creed, class, color, religion etc, the people of India are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and have the right to freely profess, practice and propagate the religion. The act of the principal of the government college is violative of fundamental rights and holding in a position of Government institution the act of the principal is entirely discriminatory, they stated.
 
"Wearing hijab is the fundamental right of Muslim women. Muslim women have been wearing hijab for decades. Girl students who went to college by wearing hijab as usual, have been prevented from entering the college premises. It is illegal and unconstitutional," the agitators accused.

A memorandum was submitted to the Assistant commissioner Mamta Devi.

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