Mumbai: A private school in Thane, near Mumbai has issued a circular banning Muslim girls and their guardians from wearing hijabs or naqab- veil that covers their faces- citing security reasons. But the parents of children have expressed unhappiness to disallow naqaabs,

According to sources, Symbiosis Convent High School in Mumbra has recently issued a circular which mentions that, parents and family members would have to reveal their face by lifting the veil while entering school premises. As per the circular, students would not be allowed to cover their faces even while leaving the school.

After parents expressed their unhappiness over the decision of the school as it infringes on the girl students personal choice, the school administration clarified that the decision was not to hurt the religious sentiments of any community but to ensure the safety of all.

School trustee Kamalraj Deo said the step was necessary for security reasons. “Some students left school in a fully-veiled burkha. When their parents came, our security wouldn’t know where their girls were,” he said.

In addition, the school recently came across two women seeking to take their child home early. “Their faces were covered. We summoned the class teacher, but before she could arrive, the two ran away,” he said, calling it an attempted abduction.

Opposing the move, a girl student of the school told media that Our hijabs are meant to be wrapped in a way that our faces are visible at all times.”