In this story the author speaks about an Indian woman who has moved to Canada and describes washing his turbans. It is common in the Sikh religion for men to have long hair and wear turbans.
The family moves to Canada because they don't have enough money. The wife does not want him to cut his hair. But the man cuts his hair and takes off his turban.
Once when the woman takes her saris for the laundry she is illtreated there saying it was dishrag and towel.
The answer to your question would be prohibited as it does mean to be forbidden or not allowed to and on this sentence is saying that since it was too noisy it was impossible to study.
