Here's Everything You Need To Know About Karnataka Hijab Row

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions filed by a few girls studying in a government pre-university college in Udupi on February 8. These girls filed a plea for not being permitted to enter the classroom wearing the hijab.

Some students were outraged by this decision and have voiced their anger against what they have termed as a 'discriminatory rule.' Clashes have erupted across campuses in the last few days and at least two colleges declared a holiday on 7 February so as to prevent communal tension.

As per reports, another college segregated the students wearing hijab by making them to sit in a separate classroom.

Two Arrested

So far, two people have been arrested by the police from Gangolli named Rajab (41) and Haji Abdul Majeed (32). As per media reports, the two were spotted carrying lethal weapons near the government-run PU college in Kundapur in Udupi district. It is to be noted that Majeed has seven cases pending against him at the Gangolli Police Station, while Rajab has one. 

A case has been filed by the Police against them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police are also on the hunt for Khalil, Rizwan and Ifthikar, who managed to vanish from the spot.

Siddaramaiah Urges Karnataka Chief Minister

Siddaramaiah, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and senior Congress leader, took to his official twitter handle to appeal to the current CM of the state. He urged CM Bommai to shut down all the schools and colleges, where the tussle about Hijab and Kesari is going on and suggested to conduct online classes.

Dalits Too Annoyed

A group of Dalit students were also not happy with this decision and protested against it by wearing blue stoles.

When And How Row Started?

The Hijab row began when Muslim girl students of the state-run PU College in Karnataka's Udupi alleged that they were not allowed to enter into the classroom for wearing hijab on 1 January 2022.

The principal of the college responded and said that the rule was being followed in order to ensure uniformity in classrooms.

Meeting Held

In this regard, a meeting was held on January 19 between students, parents, government officials and the school management of the state-run PU College in Karnataka's Udupi, with an aim of bringing about a long lasting solution to the issue of the hijab row.

However, the participants of the meeting had said that no consensus was reached as a result of which the issue went unresolved.

The very next day, the five girls began protesting outside the school. They also held placards as a sign of protest against the decision not to allow them to attend classes while wearing hijabs.

Government Sets Up Committee

An expert committee was set up by the Karnataka government on 26 January to resolve the issue involving hijabs inside classrooms. It was announced that all girls should adhere to uniform rules until the committee's recommendations came.

Petition

A Muslim girl student from Udupi filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court on 31 January seeking a declaration that wearing a hijab is a fundamental right. The plea stated that the Indian constitution guarantees the Freedom of Conscience and the right to profess, practice and propagate religion.

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