The South Asia State of Minorities Report 2020 found that India has become a “dangerous and violent space for Muslim minorities” since the Modi government introduced amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2019 which opened a pathway for a category of illegal immigrants to legalise their status and become Indian citizens, but it specifically excluded Muslims.

Muslim student, Al-Rifa fears the Hijab ban could mean the end of her college career.

“Education and religion go parallel in our lives. Can we choose between our two eyes?” asked distraught Al-rifa.

“The Government is forcing us to keep our children away from education,” said Atiq-ur-Rehman, 54, who took his daughter home after school authorities refused to let her sit an exam while wearing a hijab.

“Let everyone have a choice to wear what they want. I want my daughter to have better education but that should not come at the cost of my religion.”

Some Muslims are now considering educating their children privately, he added, or getting their education at Muslim madrassa religious schools.

But Ms Sheikh, a first-generation in her family to attend college, said her family had no financial option but to rely on the state system. She is now among the supporters to a legal petition challenging the ban in the Karnataka High Court, which will be heard this Wednesday.

“We are hurt but we will fight back for our rights,” she said.