Students wearing hijab, who were denied entry, outside IDSG Government College in Chikmagalur on February 8. (Photo: PTI)
After nearly a week of protests and violence, high schools in Karnataka reopened on Monday, amid prohibitory orders in Udupi and Bengaluru. The government has decided to open schools and colleges in a phased manner after a high court proposal banning religious garments in educational institutions, until the matter is pending with the court.
Meanwhile, the petitioners against the hijab ban argued their side in the high court today, stating that colleges cannot decide on such a ban as they do not have any legal basis. The high court will take up the matter for further hearing tomorrow. Here are the top developments.
HIGH SCHOOLS REOPEN, PEACEFUL FIRST DAY IN UDUPI
In Udupi district, the epicenter of pro and anti-hijab protests, all high schools that reopened witnessed normal attendance. Muslim girl students who reached the school campuses wearing hijabs were asked to remove them before entering classes. Udupi Tahsildar Pradeep Kurudekar told PTI that there were no reports of Hindu students turning up in saffron shawls.
Police personnel have been posted in Udupi town and near the schools to maintain law and order and to avoid any untoward incident.
meanwhile, Commerce students of the second Pre-University Course (PUC) at the government high school in Udupi, submitted a memorandum to the school demanding that offline classes be started at the earliest.
However, a decision regarding reopening of Pre-University and Degree colleges will be taken later.
STUDENTS ASKED TO REMOVE HIJAB IN MANDYA
An argument broke out between parents and a teacher outside Rotary school in Karnataka’s Mandya after the students were asked to take off the hijab, or headscarf, before entering the campus.
One of the parents reportedly requested the teacher to allow the students inside the classroom before they take off the hijab.
PRO-HIJAB PROTESTS IN TAMIL NADU
In Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore, Yegathuva Muslim Jamath staged a protest in which Muslim women wore tri-color scarves. In Trichy, a protest was called by Manithaneya Jananayaka Katchi, where Muslim men and women participated in it, claiming that wearing hijab is a right given by the Constitution.
COLLEGE CANNOT BAN HIJABS, ARGUE PETITIONERS
Karnataka High Court continued hearing the petition filed by Muslim students against the ban on hijab on campuses. Advocate Kamat representing the petitioners said that the government order that states that wearing hijab is not protected by Article 25 is ‘totally erroneous’.
Advocate Kamat said, “To allow the College Development Committee to decide whether to allow students to wear headscarves or not is totally illegal. The only restriction that can be imposed under Article 25 is public order, which can only be imposed by the state. Can a college development committee consisting of an MLA and some subordinates decide on exercising fundamental freedom? How can a statutory authority be made the guardian of our fundamental rights?”
HIGH COURT HEARING TO RESUME TOMORROW
The three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi will continue hearing the hijab case. Until the matter is with court, students are allowed to attend classes without wearing any religious garments.
GOVT LIKELY TO INTRODUCE NEW GUIDELINES ON HIJAB IN SCHOOLS
Karnataka government is likely to introduce new guidelines on the usage of hijab based on the high court proposal. According to sources, the new guidelines will let students coming in hijabs and burqas enter schools and then change into uniforms.
Some students were asked to remove hijab by school authorities standing outside the school gate. To prevent such situations, the government is likely to come up with a new set of guidelines.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will meet Education Minister BC Nagesh, education department officials and home department officials to decide upon such guidelines based on the high court proposal.
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