The subject is particularly important for Erdogan, whose Islamic-rooted ruling party lifted a long-standing ban on wearing the hijab in state institutions in 2013.

The Court of Justice of the European Union says EU companies can ban headscarfs as long as it is a general prohibition that does not discriminate against employees.

Muslims are a sizeable minority in India, accounting for 13% of the population of 1.4 billion in the south Asian nation where Hindus make up the majority.

At least 41 people have been killed in the week-long unrest, state television says.

Police were seen firing tear gas and one man was shown on a video with an injury to the head that someone could be heard saying was caused by birdshot.

At the end of March, the Taliban, who took power after US forces withdrew from the country last August, closed high schools and colleges for girls just hours after their reopening.

While polls indicate Macron is ahead they also point to a far tighter race between the centrist and the far-right leader than in their 2017 run-off.

They say India is a 'Hindu nation' and that no religious outfits should be seen in educational institutes.

The ban last month by the southern state sparked protests by some Muslim students and parents, and counter-protests by Hindu students.

Police with batons have been deployed outside several schools.

The issue comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party prepares for elections in key states.

Many Hindu classmates blame protests for disrupting their education, and insist they too should be allowed to wear religious symbols.