Hijab Controversy: Karnataka Home Min orders urgent probe; 'doubt some vested interest'

As controversy over wearing of Hijab in Karnataka continues to cause chaos amongst students and affect smooth flow of functioning of schools and colleges in state, in a major development, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has now directed state police to launch an immediate investigation in matter. Home Minister Jnanendra has ordered a special probe to ascertain who is responsible for instigating students. This comes after continuous protests over Hijab controversy in state, wherein CM Basavaraj Bommai-led state government on February 5 h issued an order imposing a ban on wearing of clos that tend to disturb integrity, equality, and public order. 

Speaking to ANI on issue, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said, ''Wearing Hijab and shawl are both not allowed into college premises. State government alrey cleared it that students should wear uniform approved by college managements. Everyone should follow it. All are equal and children of Mor India. This Sanskara should only come from educational institutions.''

'Students should think beyond religion': Karnataka Home Min Araga Jnanendra

 Karnataka Home Minister furr told ANI that, ''Students should think beyond religion. Uniform dress is symbol of equality. Children are saying y want Hijab, but y have not argued for cloth earlier. I doubt some vested interest behind issues.''

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra averred that he has directed a team of police officials to inquire about issue and to find out if specific people have been pushing students into creating a stir over Hijab issue. Minister told ANI, '' police will protect schools. I am requesting students to stop it now.'' While speaking to news agency, Jnanendra stressed that education for students in state has as it is been paralysed due to COVID-19 pandemic, however, he assured that ''it will not be affected by this issue.''

It is to be noted that Government PU College in Kundapura earlier in day h permitted female Hijab-cl students to enter its premises. Although, in a contentious move, Muslim girl students have been me to sit in separate classrooms, away from or students. Several male and female students have been sporting saffron shawls in protest against hijab-cl students in same pre-university.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's government has set up an expert committee so as to resolve issue and has asked all girls to follow uniform rules until committee recommendation arrives. Meanwhile, Karnataka High Court will hear petitions filed by Udupi girl students on February 8. 

What is Hijab Controversy?

Major political controversy erupted in parts of Karnataka over wearing of hijab by Muslim girls in educational institutes. Earlier in December 2021, Udipi's Kundapur PU college's principal, Rudra Gowda h issued a circular, banning students from wearing hijabs in classrooms. Defending his order, Gowda h stated, "Students are free to wear hijabs inside school premises but not in classrooms. This rule is being followed to ensure uniformity in classrooms." 

In January 2022, a few students of Government Pre-University College in Udupi were denied entry into a classroom for wearing a hijab. As a result, several students started demonstrating outside classroom along with members of Islamic Organisation of India.

Hijab row later spre to or parts of Karnataka and escalated into a major controversy with political parties getting mileage out of it. While Congress leers supported wearing of hijab, BJP said that it won't 'Talibanisation' of educational institutions.

Image: ANI, Twitter/@Awhspeaks