Mangalore: Nineteen-year-old Ayesha has unwillingly become the face of the Hindu-Muslim conflict in this part of Karnataka.
She dropped out of her college for not being allowed to wear a headscarf in class. Young Muslims in the area have protested in the streets against this. A teacher participating in the demonstration said, "We have the right to follow our religion. She is part of our religion."
Ayesha's college has been given a show-cause notice. The scarf controversy gives Dakshina Kannada in coastal Karnataka another reason to be on edge.
There have been several stabbings over the past few days over desecration of places of worship.
In response, the administration has restricted night activities in the run-up to the Ganesha festival and the start of Ramzan.
"Stabbings have taken place late at night and early morning. We are closing business establishments at 8 pm till the Ganesha festival," said Subramanyeshwara Rao, a senior police official.
Therefore, Ayesha's town goes to sleep every night clutching onto its fragile peace.