Secular demonstration denied in Bnei Brak

University students were denied permission to demonstrate in a city that is overwhelmingly haredi Orthodox.

Police in Bnei Brak, a city located east of Tel Aviv, refused permission out of fear of riots, Haaretz reported. The students wanted to protest Tuesday against a bill that would provide stipends for married yeshiva students.

The decision to ban comes days after about three dozen Jewish nationalists were allowed to demonstrate in an Arab-Israeli town guarded by about 1,500 security officials.

University students have been demonstrating against the proposed amendment to the 2011-12 state budget in recent days in venues throughout the country.