A Brazilian student expelled from university for wearing a mini-skirt that sparked national soul searching, in this staunchly Catholic but bikini-clad nation, was re-admitted Monday.

Pressure from the Brazilian government to reinstate 20-year-old Geisy Arruda appeared to have paid off late Monday, when the private Bandeirante University reversed its decision.

Brazil's education ministry earlier demanded the Sao Paulo state university explain its decision to bar Arruda from the rest of 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, attacked her expulsion, saying it violated her constitutional rights.

She 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.