RELIGIOUS figures in Bradford have given their thoughts on a row which has unfolded in India.

A college in the state of Karnataka refused entry to some students because they were wearing hijabs, leading to protests in the country.

19-year-old student Muskaan Khan – who wears a hijab – was also hassled by a group of men when she entered college, footage of which went viral.

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, has written to the foreign secretary over the issue, arguing that Muslim women in India who wear the hijab are being denied their “fundamental human rights”.

Now, faith leaders in Bradford have also voiced their opinion.

Hafeez Aziz, of the Al-Mustafa Centre in Girlington, said it is “clear” that discrimination is happening.

“I think Islamophobia has been on the rise in India, and this is another manifestation of that”, he added.

“Women have a right to dress how they want, it is their choice. Nobody should be trying to take that away from them.

“I think in certain countries there needs to be more promotion of education, especially for girls, but things like this put more barriers in the way.

“The Indian Government has been irresponsible, it riles people up and encourages an extreme Hindu ideology.

“If nothing is done, it gives people elsewhere the confidence to do similar things.

“The world has turned a blind eye, which is disappointing, because you would expect other countries to take action.”

Balu Lad, of the Shree Hindu Temple in Little Horton, argued that the situation in India is a “political thing, rather than religious”.

“It’s election time in India, and this debate is a way for people to win votes”, he said.

“As soon as the election is over, this will die out and nobody will talk about it.

“We don’t know if there was harassment against this girl [Muskaan Khan], as the media only show one side.

“The pro-Muslim media will show something negative about the other group, and the pro-Hindu media will do likewise, so in reality, nobody knows exactly what’s going on.

“Some people think ladies are being forced to wear the hijab, but I don’t think that’s the case, it’s their choice to wear it.

“India has always been a secure country and as far as I’m concerned, it’s just a local issue – why should English politicians get involved?

“I think they should keep away from these issues, because they are none of our business at this stage.”

Reverend Nathan Javed, of Bradford-based GBM Churches, added his views: “A choice to wear religious dress should be respected, wherever other overriding factors such as health and safety do not come into play.

“Careful and sensitive handling of issues linked to the wearing of religious dress is part of the wider commitment of any democratic society to their religious freedoms, and to valuing diversity alongside the shared pursuit of the common good.”