Bangalore, Aug 19 - A government-aided college in a communally sensitive Karnataka district Wednesday justified its decision to bar Muslim girl students from wearing head scarf or veil on the campus and asserted it will not change the rules.

The principal of Sri Venkataramana Swamy College in Bantwal in the coastal Dakshina Kannada district, Seetaram Mayya defended the college's decision saying that only one Muslim girl out of 23 in the college was not willing to follow the rules.

He, however, told IANS on phone from Bantwal Wednesday that the college prospectus does not specifically mention ban on head scarf or burqa.

'But during interview (for admission to the college), we make it clear to all students and their parents/guardians that the students will have to follow the rules and regulations as and when they are made.'

'This was made clear to this particular student also and she agreed to it. Now she is being stubborn about not following the rules,' Mayya said.

The student, Aysha Ashmin, joined the college for her Bachelor of Commerce course this academic year, after completing her pre-university course (Class 12) from another college.

'The matter will be settled as she wants to leave our college and pursue her education in a different college. We do not want any controversy over our rules and regulations,' Mayya said.

The college gets state government aid and has sent a report to the directorate of collegiate education in Bangalore on the issue.

The directorate has the authority to grant or bar aid to colleges.