Karnataka hijab row: Tension spreads to Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry

This comes as the Karnataka High Court is hearing petitions filed by five women from a government college in Udupi, questioning hijab restrictions. The court has also appealed for peace to the students.

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, a minister has spoken in favour of "discipline" and a "uniform dress code".

Supporting the ban on the hijab, Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar said the government will give priority to following a discipline for students.

"Hijab isn't part of school uniform, which is why wearing it should be banned in schools. Traditions need to be followed by people at their homes and not at schools. We are working on strict enforcement of dress code at schools," he told mediapersons.

Asked if hijab will be banned in schools of the state, the minister said if need be, a decision will be taken after examining the issue.

In Puducherry, the authorities have asked the head of a government school in Ariyankuppam to inquire into allegations of a teacher objecting to headscarves in class, said reports.

Earlier in the evening, the Karnataka government announced that all schools and colleges in the state will be shut for the next three days after the row over wearing hijab by students inside campuses turned violent.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai appealed to students to maintain peace and informed them about the order of high schools and colleges' closure.

"I appeal to all the students,  teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate," Bommai tweeted.

The Karnataka High Court will continue the hearing on Wednesday.