Hijab Row : Hatred against Muslims is normalized in India says Omar Abdullah

As protests that have erupted at colleges in parts of Karnataka over 'hijab' have intensified, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah alleged that hatred for Muslims has become "normalized" in the country.

He was commenting on a video that recently went viral showing some saffron-clad men yelling and chanting at a woman in a hijab at a college in Karnataka.

Those men must feel macho as they target a lone female! Hatred for Muslims has become a normalized phenomenon in India today.

In a tweet that tagged the video, Abdullah said, "We are no longer a nation that celebrates its diversity, we want to punish and exclude people for it."

The police and authorities intervened over the 'Hijab' issue in Karnataka's Udupi city, Shivamogga, Bagalkote, among others.

On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court heard arguments relating to hijab restrictions in college presented by five girls attending a Government Pre-university College in Udupi.

PU College in Udupi kicked off this issue in January when six students wearing headscarves were asked to leave a class.

Hindu youth, backed by right-wing outfits, are now wearing saffron scarves in response to the matter spreading to other parts of the state.

In addition, students wearing saffron scarves have been banned from attending classes.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP defended the enforced uniform rules by educational institutions while the opposition Congress argued that the 'hijab' controversy is part of a campaign to poison young people's minds.