The High Court of Karnataka has expressed concerns over the shutting down of the educational institutes, citing that Education must not suffer in the state. A full bench of the Karnataka High Court will be hearing all the pleas that had challenged the ban on wearing of Hijab as the protests broke out in some more states along with Karnataka.
The protests demanding to challenge the ban on wearing a headscarf or Hijab in the state of Karnataka took a violent turn a few days ago. The institutions were ordered to be shut down on Wednesday as a full bench of the Karnataka High Court is expected to hear the pleas challenging the ban on wearing Hijab in colleges.
The Karnataka State Police has detained around 30 to 50 students who had gone outside the Karnataka Bhawan to protest in solidarity with all the students across the state. As per the Police’s statements, the students were not given permission to gather, or protest. One of the petitioners in the case has said that he is requesting the state that irrespective of dress, food, faith, all of those are their girl children. He further added that this is not just about religious practices, rather it is a case of educational rights. He said that he does not wish to add fuel to the fire that has taken over the state. He finished off by saying that this is a matter of a woman’s dignity and identity.
The High Court of Karnataka has expressed displeasure over the shutting down of all educational institutions across the state and has stated that education must not suffer at any cost. The state government is also favouring the reopening of schools and colleges as soon as possible.
With the issue of the Hijab ban turning into a major controversy, the protestors who are mostly students have filed several petitions in the High Court against the Hijab ban in some of the colleges and have vowed to continue to fight until they achieve victory. The matter will be heard by a three-bench of the High Court.
Meanwhile B.C. Nagesh, the Education Minister stated that this issue has been created and is being discussed at an international level to denigrate the only BJP-led government in the Southern parts of the nation.
The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr Tamilisai Sounderarajan has also said that the Education Department of Puducherry will be working towards formulating a uniform dress code for students across the Union Territory. His statement came after a headmaster asked a Muslim student to remove her headscarf.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai has urged everyone including the politicians to refrain from making statements that may lead to inciting of the people and has encouraged everyone to maintain peace in the state. The Chief Minister will be meeting with the Ministers of Education and Home Departments and other officials later today to take certain measures that will help in maintaining a cordial and peaceful atmosphere at the educational institutes.
