Pakistani student alleges harrassment for wearing veil

A female medical student in Pakistan has accused a male teacher of "slapping" and "kicking" her for wearing a veil in the classroom, a leading Pakistani daily reported.

Misbah Syed, a first-year MBBS student in Khyber Medical College at Peshawar, Tuesday said Rahim Bangash, a professor, asked her not to veil herself in the classroom, the Dawn reported.

The student, who is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, also accused the teacher of harassing her.

"He (teacher) also made derogatory remarks about the veil to my embarrassment in front of colleagues. I strongly reacted to the remarks and told him that it's a student's right whether or not to veil herself and that no one can force her into doing so. After that, he slapped and kicked me," the daily's report quoted her as saying.

"I got admission to Khyber Medical College only because my parents wanted me to be familiar with Pakhtun culture after spending years abroad," she added.

Demanding strict action against the teacher, she said: "The action against the teacher, whose conduct is highly unbecoming, will help students get education in a harassment-free environment."