A BRADFORD MP has written to the foreign secretary after a college in the southern Indian state of Karnataka refused entry to students because they were wearing hijabs.

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, has urged Elizabeth Truss MP to act over the issue, which has sparked protests.

Ms Shah said that Muslim women in India who wear the hijab are being denied their “fundamental human rights”, adding that the situation represents more than just an “attack on a piece of clothing”.

Protests began in India last month after a college said the hijab could be worn on campus, but not in classrooms.

A viral video also showed 19-year-old student Muskaan Khan, who wears a hijab, being hassled by a group of men as she entered college.

The men were wearing saffron shawls, which are sometimes associated with Hindu nationalist groups.

“No woman should be taunted by hundreds of men in such a shameful manner for simply choosing what to wear”, Ms Shah said in her letter.

“Muslim girls were denied entry to their schools unless they removed their hijabs. Schools were closed for several days due to fears of widespread violence.

“Upon schools reopening, Muslim female students have only been allowed entry after being forced to remove their hijabs.

“The Hindu nationalists, under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are trying to hide their Islamophobic and discriminatory policies and practices by suggesting this is an issue of school uniform.

“However, as many pro-democracy and opposition figures have said, this is a further attack on minority rights in India by the ruling BJP party.

“This is a further extension of the regressive and hard-line extremist otherisation of Muslims in India by Hindu nationalists.”

Ms Shah has asked Elizabeth Truss MP to take a stand on the issue: “In November 2021, you outlined women and girls will be at the centre of your foreign policy priorities.

“You also highlighted, under the UK's Presidency, G7 countries' commitment to get 40 million girls into education.

“Given the prevailing issue in India, I have no doubt this will be of the upmost importance to you.

“I fear that unless there is an international spotlight or intervention placed on the situation, we could again witness the lynching of Muslims in India, similar to, or far worse, than those in Gujarat in 2002.

“I urge you to call upon the Indian high commissioner to the UK urgently and express the UK’s position of supporting the rights and freedoms of all women.”