Amid protests across several parts of Karnataka over hijab-clad students being denied entry to a college, the Congress party said “this is not my India”.

Unruly scenes were reported at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts of the state, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.

Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas tweeted: “This is not my Karnataka, This is not my India. I am sorry, we are sorry!!”

In videos that surfaced on media, some students wearing saffron stoles can be seen raising slogans while hijab-clad Muslim girls were seen staging protests.

The Karnataka High Court is today hearing the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college.

Meanwhile, state’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra warned the protesters saying no one should give an opportunity to use the police force.

“You (students) are all educated, you have to think about your future. After two years of COVID-19, this year classes have been conducted in a good way. This is the time for you to prepare for your exams that are coming up in a couple of months,” Jnanendra said in a video statement.

“We should all stand together as brothers, as the children of this country. Uniform is a sign of equality. Educational institutions are not the place for practicing our religion or to showcase our costumes,” he added.

Last week, the state government in an order said that students at schools and pre-university colleges across the state should only follow the uniforms prescribed by it or management of private institutions.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that by letting students’ hijab come in the way of their education, the BJP-led state government is robbing the future of the “daughters of India”.