Malappuram: Amid the ongoing debate on whether burqa should be banned in public places, the Kerala Muslim Education Society (MES) has imposed a ban on the face veil across all its affiliated colleges in the state. The ban comes a day after Shiv Sena, an ally of the ruling BJP, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a country-wide burqa ban. To be noted that the MES reportedly manages 35 colleges across Kerala, where more than 1 lakh students are pursuing education 60 per cent among the students are Muslim girls, reports said.

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Here it is to be noted that the debate on burqa was ignited in India after Muslim women were barred from wearing the face veil in neighbouring Sri Lanka. The decision was taken citing security concerns, with Intelligence agencies warning of jihadists using the head-to-toe veil to masquerade themselves in public places. The Shiv Sena, through its mouthpiece Saamna, called upon PM Modi to take cure from "Ravana's Lanka" and ban the burqa "Ram's India" as well.

Saamna said in a write-up published on Wednesday "The present government has made a law against Triple Talaq to stop the exploitation of Muslim women. After the ghastly bomb attacks, Sri Lanka has imposed a ban on the burqa and all types of face covers. President Maithripala Sirisena also announced that the decision has been taken for national security,". However, another NDA ally from Maharashtra, Ramdas Athawale, has openly aired his differences against the Sena's proposals. The RPI(A) leader said burqa is part of India's cultural and belief systems, and a blanket ban cannot be imposed.

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Athawale said "Not all women who wear the burqa are terrorists if they are terrorists their burqa should be removed. It is a tradition and they have the right to wear it, there shouldn't be a ban on the burqa in India,".