A writ was filed with the High Court today challenging the legality of Dhaka University's Bangla department action of asking its students to keep their faces, including their ears, uncovered during examinations and presentations.

Three students submitted the petition through lawyer Md Faizullah Faiz, saying the decision is contradictory to their religious belief and independence and therefore liable to be declared illegal.

Faiz told The Daily Star that the Bangla department on December 11 last year issued a notice asking the students to keep their faces, including their ears, uncovered during all examinations and presentations.

The female students who wear hijabs have been affected by the notice, he said, adding that the HC may hear the petition next week.