Amid the intensified protest over the “Hijab” row in Karnataka, the Chief Minister of the state has announced the closure of high schools and colleges for the next three days. CM Basavaraj S Bommai has tweeted that he had ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges for the next three days. He also appealed to all the students, teachers, and management of schools and colleges to maintain peace and harmony.
I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) February 8, 2022
The matter is now in Karnataka High Court
The High Court of Karnataka has posted the matter for Wednesday. High Court has urged the students and people to maintain peace and tranquility in the state. The petitions were filed by some students of Udupi Government Pre-University College for girls. “This court requests the students and the public to maintain peace and tranquility. This Court has full faith in the wisdom and virtue of public at large and hopes that the same would be put to practice,” the single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit said.
How did the Hijab row start in Karnataka?
Last month, six Muslim girls (from Class 12) of Government Pre-university college in Udupi district (coastal Karnataka) were banned from entering college wearing hijab. This news spread in other colleges and districts in the state. Many right-wing students responded with saffron shawls and massive protests against hijab-clad Muslim girls. However, similar to Hijab-clad Muslim girls, Hindu students wearing saffron shawls were barred, classes.
This has raised debate whether educational institutions can impose a strict dress code that can interfere with the religious rights of students. This issue has taken political color as ruling Party BJP has come in support of saffron-clad boys and against the hijab-clad Muslim girls.