India: Hijab-Wearing Girls Barred from College in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh

In a recent incident at Janta Inter College in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India, several hijab-clad Muslim girls were barred from attending classes after being expelled by principal Shivendra Pal Singh, Muslim Mirror reported yesterday.

The situation escalated when a video surfaced on social media showing the girls in their college uniforms, claiming they were told to remove their dupattas and wear loose garments instead.

This action has sparked outrage among the students’ guardians, who view it as a violation of religious rights and an attack on freedom of religion. The Bijnor police have initiated a probe into the matter, with the District Magistrate directing the District Inspector of Schools to investigate. This incident follows a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily stayed a similar hijab ban in a Mumbai college, highlighting ongoing debates about students’ religious identity in educational institutions. The court questioned the rationale behind such restrictions, emphasizing the need for respect for religious freedoms.