THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan welcomed the decision of the high court banning hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka. He said it was an opportunity for Muslim girls to come into the mainstream and Muslim sisters like other girls should be involved in building the nation.

The governor had earlier asserted his stand against hijab. He said that in the time of the Prophet, women believed that hijab was unnecessary and women of that time argued that the beauty bestowed by God should not be hidden.

The Karnataka High Court today rejected the plea filed by students alleging that wearing hijab was part of their fundamental rights. The court ruled that hijab was not part of compulsory religion and uniform could not be opposed as part of the religion. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said the court's verdict should be accepted.