A student of the York University in Canada refused to take part in group work as his religion did not allow him to meet with his female classmates.

The university student was doing an online course which required him taking part in a group work involving both male and female classmates. However, he claimed that his religious beliefs did not allow him to mingle with female classmates. His request of not to take part in the group work was, nevertheless, rejected by Professor Paul Grayson from the Toronto University. Meanwhile, the incident has stirred controversy regarding human rights.

Mr Grayson expressed his shock to Ontario Today of CBC-Radio. He admitted that he was not aware of the religion of the student who made such a request. He did not, anyway, agree on accommodating his request even though both the York University dean's office and the Centre for Human Rights asked him to grant the student permission to be exempt from the group work.

On the contrary, Prof Grayson refused to pay attention to them. He expressed his concern that anyone could also justify their refusal to interact with blacks, gays and Jews by the name of religion. If the student's request was allowed, every other "absurd" request will start pouring, he said. Mr Grayson further confirmed that accepting the student's request would go against what he stood for.

Mr Grayson reminded that women had been working hard at universities for the past 50 years. The student's request will take him back to the "dark ages," he said. He called the demand "completely unacceptable." Mr Grayson even had a direct interaction with the student. When he informed the student that it was not possible to grant his request, he seemed OK with it.

Eventually, he took part in the group work. However, Mr Grayson said that he was instructed by the university that he should clarify it to the student that he was not obliged to mingle with his female classmates.