SAO PAULO -- A student's expulsion from university for wearing a short mini-skirt judged too provocative has sparked a nationwide debate in Brazil, a strongly Catholic nation known for its skimpy beachwear.

Brazil's education ministry on Monday demanded the private Bandeirante University in Sao Paulo state explain its decision to bar 20-year-old Geisy Arruda from the rest her tourism course.

The minister for women's rights, Nilcea Freire, also waded in on Sunday, criticizing the university for "this total intolerance and discrimination."

Geisy, who is backed by several lawyers, is attacking her expulsion, saying it violates her constitutional rights.

She has also slammed hundreds of students who jeered and called her a "whore" on October 22, when she turned up in her revealing pink outfit.

That incident quickly escalated, leading to security guards being assigned to accompany Geisy on campus for her protection.

The university then decided to expel her last week, blaming her for disturbing classes by "a flagrant lack of respect for ethical principles, academic dignity and morality."

That stance triggered indignation among observers.

"According to the known information, the institution shamelessly punished the victim of a collective and brutal assault," Arthur Roquete de Macedo, a member of the Brazilian Education Academy, wrote in a column for the daily Folha de S. Paulo.