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Tension prevailed in a college in Mangalore after Ayyappa devotee students (vruthadharis) were denied entry into the classroom for keeping a beard and wearing the black shawl associated with the pilgrimage.

 
Saffron outfit Rama Sene, which sided with the devotee students, protested in front of Canara PU College seeking permission for devotees studying in the college to be allowed to enter classroom wearing the black shawl, hair untrimmed and unshaven (until they visit the shrine).
 
Rakshith Kumar Rao, a first PUC student and an Ayyappa devotee said the principal had asked him not to enter class wearing the shawl and had warned him to cut his hair and shave his beard.
 
He told Bangalore Mirrror, "As part of our religious faith, Ayyappa vruthadharis are not supposed to have a haircut or shave until the completion of the vrutha at Shabarimala. On Monday, as I was entering class, the principal caught me and insisted that I follow the rules. I was also asked to pay a fine of Rs 100 for wearing a shawl and for growing my hair and beard,” he said.
 
Reacting to the incident, Hundi Prabha Kamath, the principal, said that there is no question of changing the decision with regard to uniform.
 
"Boys are not allowed to wear shawl and they should get their hair cut and shave their beard,” he said. “Only college uniform — black pants and shirt with blue stripes and identity card — is permitted inside classrooms. Rakshith was warned about the violation of the dress code. He was asked to pay a fine of Rs 100. He has neither followed the rules nor has he paid the fine.”
 
The management was considering taking action against the student. The principal blamed radical outfits for creating tension in the campus.
 
Sri Rama Sena leader Madhusudhan Urwa Store said that there are about 20 Ayyappa devotee students in the college who face similar problems.
 
“There are no such rules that prevent an Ayyappa devotee from wearing religious symbols in institutions. We will hold protests till students are allowed to enter classes as per their faith,” he said, threatening that the Sene will call for district-wise college bundh in case the management hurts the religious sentiments of the students.