As the controversy over wearing 'hijab' on campus raged in Karnataka, Congress MP from Kerala TN Prathapan raised the issue in Lok Sabha, saying the garment of the Muslim women is like "mangalsutra for Hindus, the crucifix of the Christians and turbans for the Sikhs".

He demanded the Union education minister's intervention in the matter. The 'hijab' (scarf) row in Karnataka intensified as some students sought to defy the government order mandating uniform style of clothes.