Hijab Row UpdatesHijab controversy is increasing continuously in Karnataka. A junior college principal has been threatened with death for not admitting girl students wearing hijab to college and sending them back home. Madikeri District Police has started investigation by registering a case against a youth named Mohammad Tauseef on the complaint of Principal Vijay.
On the other hand, despite the interim order of the High Court and administrative advice, the police and administration have also started taking strict action against those who disturb the atmosphere by protesting. Where, an FIR has been registered against 15 girl students involved in the protest in Tumkur on Thursday. At the same time, 58 girl students of a pre-university college in Shivamogga district have been suspended for protesting.
The Karnataka Police on Saturday registered an FIR under sections 143, 145, 188 and 149 of the IPC against at least 10 girls for violating the interim order passed on hijab and prohibitory orders issued under Section-144 of CrPC. . Girl students protested outside the Girls Empress Government PU College in Tumkur on Thursday, February 17. These girl students have been accused of violating prohibitory orders.
Restrictions around school colleges extended to 26 in Dakshina Kannada district
In view of the situation, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has extended the restrictions imposed around schools and colleges till February 26. Deputy Commissioner KV Rajendra said, “In view of the tension of the hijab controversy, restrictions will remain in force within 200 meters of the school college from 6 pm on Saturday till 6 pm on February 26.”
Outsiders inciting controversy: Bommai
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, all this controversy is being instigated by outsiders. This issue can be resolved by the Principal, girl students and their parents. For this it is necessary that the atmosphere should be kept calm. But some people are not allowing this to happen.
The hearing in the Karnataka High Court regarding the hijab controversy is still pending and as per the interim order, students are prohibited from wearing hijab, burqa and saffron gamchas in classrooms. Despite this, many girls are adamant on wearing the hijab continuously. On Thursday too, when the girl students were not allowed to take off their hijab as per the order of the High Court, the girls sat on a dharna outside the Pre-University College and started protesting and shouting slogans despite the ban.
Argument in High Court – Hijab is not mandatory in Islam
At the same time, during the hearing in the Karnataka High Court on Friday, the state government argued that hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and prohibiting its use does not violate Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. does. At the same time, advocate Vinod Kulkarni, appearing for Muslim girls, has said in the petition that the ban on hijab is like banning the Holy Quran.
Minorities Department had issued circular
In order to ensure compliance with the interim order of the Karnataka High Court, the school-college authorities are making all the students take off their hijab, burqa and saffron gamchas before entering the campus. Teachers are also included in the circle. The interim order of the High Court will remain in effect until the court gives its final verdict on the petitions filed against the hijab ban. Meanwhile, on Thursday, February 17, the State Minority Welfare Department also banned the wearing of religious clothes and symbols, including the hijab, in classrooms.
Muslim society rose above conservative thinking
The RSS-affiliated Muslim Rashtriya Manch on Saturday appealed to the minority community to rise above conservative thinking and adopt progressive ideas. Shahid Saeed, the forum’s national coordinator and spokesperson, said education is more important to its progress than wearing the hijab. Muslims have the highest illiteracy rate of 43 percent in India. Due to this, highest unemployment is also in this community. In such a situation, it is necessary that instead of giving preference to beliefs like wearing hijab, importance should be given to education. You need more books.
Two split in Congress on Hijab issue
Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashok said on Saturday, there is a split in the Congress party on the hijab issue. Party’s state president DK Shivakumar is not supporting Leader of Opposition and former CM Siddaramaiah on this issue. Shivakumar is not allowing Congress leaders to openly express that he is in favor of hijab, while Siddaramaiah takes a different stand on the issue. The Congress is currently not ready to raise this issue in the Assembly.