New Delhi, Aug 20 - The Karnataka college that disallows its students from wearing either burqas or headscarves has found unexpected support amongst a section of Islamic scholars who say rules should be followed because Islam is not particular about imposing any dress code.

'Burqa is not a part of Islam. It is a part of culture, the culture that the people of the subcontinent have been following since ages. Nobody can enforce a dress code in the name of Islam. It is categorically un-Islamic,' renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan told IANS.

'If a college has a rule to not wear a burqa or headscarf then that should be followed and respected. If you don't agree, you quit the college,' Khan, who has authored 10 books, said.

His comments came a day after Mangalore's Sri Venkataramana Swamy College disallowed 19-year-old Ayesha Ashmin to attend classes for 12 days because she insisted on wearing a headscarf. The B.Com first year student alleged she was being persecuted for her religious beliefs as she was wearing a headscarf.

The college has denied the allegation and said the girl had violated the rules of the institution.