Coming out in support of hijab-wearing Muslim girl students not allowed entry in educational institutes in Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the government is robbing the future of the daughters of India.

In a tweet, the Wayanad MP said that Goddess Saraswati gives knowledge to all and doesn’t differentiate.

The hijab row in Karnataka has turned into a big controversy with many colleges denying entry to students wearing hijabs.

On Friday, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly and Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that the aim of this is to deprive Muslim girls of education.

“This is the plan of depriving female students of education. The aim is to deprive female children of education,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bengaluru.

On being asked about Hindu students wearing saffron shawls in protest against the use of hijab in the college, he said, “Wearing a Saffron shawl has been in practice for a few days, but wearing a Hijab has been in practice for several years. The issue is sub judice in the court of law. The hijab has been around for a long time,” he said.

He further said that the Indian Constitution has given the right to practice any religion which means one can wear any clothes according to their religion.

Prohibiting Hijab-wearing students from entering school is a violation of fundamental rights, he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has said that no religious robe – be it a hijab or a saffron shawl – will be allowed in schools or colleges.

A petition has also been filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college in the Karnataka High Court and the matter will be heard on February 8.

Until the High Court comes out with an order in this regard next week, the Karnataka government has asked educational institutions to follow existing uniform related rules.