Udupi: Two I PU students of Govt PU College for Girls, Udupi, who are among six girls demanding permission to wear the hijab inside the classroom since the last week of December, did not appear for the final exams that began on Tuesday. Principal Rudre Gowda confirmed that Muskan and Shafa did not appear for the exam.

At the RN Shetty Composite PU College, Kundapura, of a total of 28 Muslim girls, 15 students remained absent. Nine students arrived at the college and sought permission to wear the hijab. They even asked for a separate room to write the exams or asked for a fee refund. When permission was denied, they boycotted the exam and returned home. Sources said eight Muslim students of Government PU College in Kundapura remained absent.