Karnataka hijab row: After Malala, Man U footballer Paul Pogba claims harassment of Muslim girls

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba shared a video clip of protests featuring a faceoff between burqa-clad girls and saffron-scarved boys and said that Hindutva mobs were harassing Muslim girls.

French football star Paul Pogba has jumped into the Karnataka hijab row with the Manchester United midfielder sharing a video clip of protests featuring a faceoff between burqa-clad girls and saffron-scarved boys.

The 28-year-old footballer shared the clip, originally posted from an account named '_.islamismydeen._', on his Instagram story and captioned it: “Hindutva mobs continue to harass Muslim girls wearing hijab to college in India.” Pogba is the second prominent International figure to speak on the Karnataka hijab row after human rights activist Malala Yousufzai.

ALSO READ | ‘Horrifying’: Malala Yousafzai reacts to Karnataka hijab row

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai had earlier reacted to the hijab controversy in Karnataka, saying "refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying" and "leaders must stop the marginalisation of Muslim women”.

Malala made the remarks while sharing a news report on the hijab row where several Muslim students across various government colleges in Karnataka were banned from entering college premises wearing hijab.

ALSO READ | Hijab row: HC says no religious attire on campuses for now; classes 1-10 to resume

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi-led bench, comprising Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi, on Thursday heard petitions by Muslim students against restrictions on wearing hijab. The bench decided to hear the matter again on Monday, February 14, and asked students not to wear any religious garments till the matter is pending with the court.