Khan, 82, does not disagree with the college.

'Islamic dress is your inner character, not what you wear outside.'

'Man or woman, anyone can wear anything they feel is decent. What matters is your truthfulness and honesty in character,' said the author of 'Discovering Islam From Its Original Sources' that draws a distinction between Islam as presented by Prophet Muhammad and modern day Islam.

Fareeda Khan, who is also an Islamic scholar and teaches in the capital's Jamia Millia University, echoed the views.

'The burqa has become the symbol of rigidity and has nothing to do with Islam. You should accept that the burqa, a part of subcontinental culture, has been misused for suicide bombings. Why not avoid the burqa? Burqa is not part of any Islamic dress code,' she said.

'I also suggest to my students to not wear a burqa in the university. What is the big deal about it?' Fareeda, who is also the daughter of Wahiduddin Khan, said.