ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey High Court of Appeals’ chief prosecutor Nuri Ok announced that he has started a widespread investigation into Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent comments on the headscarf matter.

Erdogan sparked major controversy a few days ago with his remarks in Denmark that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision upholding the legality of the Turkish ban on headscarves in universities here would have been better left to the "ulema," or religious leaders, to decide.

''Hundreds of thousands of girls cannot go to universities because of the ban on wearing headscarf. This ban is a problem which requires a solution sooner or later,'' Turkish Prime Minister said.

Also, Human Rights Watch said the European Court of Human Rights decision will deny thousands of women access to higher education and a professional life in Turkey.

Some days back, the court’s Grand Chamber rejected the appeal of Leyla Şahin, who had hoped to qualify as a medical doctor in Turkey, but was banned from medical school after she refused to remove her headscarf. She was ultimately forced to study abroad.

“Turkey’s ban on headscarves clearly infringes the right to religious practice and expression,” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The European Court has let down thousands of women who will be prevented from studying in Turkey’s universities.”

The Turkish government has sporadically enforced a ban on headscarves for students and teachers in universities since the 1960s. However, in 1997, implementation of the ban intensified when the Turkish Army compelled the government to implement the ban without exception.

“The ECHR has been a powerful force in extending basic freedoms in Turkey, but it missed an important opportunity in this case to stand firmly behind principles of freedom of religion, expression, and non-discrimination,” said Cartner.