Muslim women protest over hijab rights in India – in pictures

  • Muslim women wearing the hijab protest in Bangalore after students in the southern Indian state of Karnataka were barred from entering colleges wearing the traditional headscarves. EPA
    Muslim women wearing the hijab protest in Bangalore after students in the southern Indian state of Karnataka were barred from entering colleges wearing the traditional headscarves. EPA
  • A girl with a placard reading 'Hijab is not just a piece of cloth, it's our dignity'. EPA
    A girl with a placard reading 'Hijab is not just a piece of cloth, it's our dignity'. EPA
  • Dozens of women have been protesting for weeks in a dispute that started when a college said students wearing the hijab were breaking dress policy. EPA
    Dozens of women have been protesting for weeks in a dispute that started when a college said students wearing the hijab were breaking dress policy. EPA
  • Hijab bans and demonstrations against them have since spread to other institutions in India. EPA
    Hijab bans and demonstrations against them have since spread to other institutions in India. EPA
  • The women have received the backing of several organisations, while the colleges' stance has won the support of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. EPA
    The women have received the backing of several organisations, while the colleges' stance has won the support of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. EPA
  • An Indian Muslim woman attends one of the protests in Bangalore. EPA
    An Indian Muslim woman attends one of the protests in Bangalore. EPA
  • The colleges' ruling is being challenged in court by women who say the right to wear the headscarf is guaranteed under India's secular constitution. EPA
    The colleges' ruling is being challenged in court by women who say the right to wear the headscarf is guaranteed under India's secular constitution. EPA
  • A banner makes the case for the constitutional right to wear the hijab. EPA
    A banner makes the case for the constitutional right to wear the hijab. EPA
  • Protests have been held for more than a month, since the first action was taken against six students in late December. EPA
    Protests have been held for more than a month, since the first action was taken against six students in late December. EPA
  • Hijab-wearing students speak to their principal outside a college campus in Udupi. AP
    Hijab-wearing students speak to their principal outside a college campus in Udupi. AP
  • Parents argue with a police official during a protest outside a college in Udupi. AP
    Parents argue with a police official during a protest outside a college in Udupi. AP