The High Court today stayed for six months the move by Dhaka University's Bangla department asking its students to keep their faces, including their ears, uncovered during examinations and presentations.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why the department's decision should not be declared illegal.

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Keeping students' faces, ears uncovered: Writ challenges DU Bangla dept's move

The bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Ali issued the order and rule following a writ petition filed by three students of the department challenging the legality of the decision.

They submitted the petition through lawyer Md Faizullah Faiz on February 19, saying the decision is contradictory to their religious beliefs and independence and therefore is 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.