Two NEET aspirants allegedly asked to remove Hijab

The hijab row, which erupted in Karnataka, has now hit Maharashtra. A police complaint was filed in Washim on Sunday after two girls from the Muslim community were allegedly asked to remove their hijab while they were appearing for the NEET exam at the Matoshree Shantabai Gote College. The two students have claimed that they were initially allowed to enter the exam hall. However, once inside, they were 'threatened' to remove their burkha-hijab and then appear for the exams. BJP has come out in support of the college, saying that institutions have a right to prescribe their dress code.

"We will try to take information of what happened in this particular incident. However, I have to point out that the judiciary has held that an educational institution has a right to prescribe its uniform. No one should violate the orders of the judiciary. Violating it is an offence," said deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. The Congress and NCP, however,have slammed the move with the latter calling the police to act on the complaint filed by the girls.

State NCP chief Jayant Patil said they expected that the police will do the 'needful' in the case filed by the girls. "Our expectation is that no community sentiments should be hurt in such a manner," said Patil.

State Congress chief Nana Patole blamed BJP for the latest controversy. "BJP cadre are deliberately trying to create a Hindu-Muslim divide. They are trying to earn political dividends by creating such a divide. However, we would not allow this to happen," he said.