Hijab ban in India compels Muslim students to choose between religion and education

"An institution that I had considered a temple of education has questioned and disrespected my religion," says Ayesha Imthiaz, a 21 year old devout Indian Muslim student from southern Karnataka's Udupi district, claims that her college's decision to restrict hijab-wearing students is an insult that will compel her to choose between religion and education.

She went on to say that other Muslim girls who challenged the restriction had received threatening phone calls and was ordered to stay inside. Students are allowed to wear the hijab on campus, but must remove it within the classroom, according to college administrators.

Minority Muslims have grown fearful and enraged as a result of the standoff, claiming that the country's constitution guarantees them the right to wear whatever they wish. Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Kolkata and Chennai this month in protest of the prohibition.

Petitioners appealing the prohibition were referred to a larger panel by a judge on the state's high court last week. However, the case is being widely observed around the world as a test of the Indian Constitution's protection of religious freedom.