Bengaluru: In an attempt to cap the raging hijab issue rocking coastal Karnataka, the state government has made it clear that the existing uniform rule must continue in all educational institutions until the High Court gives its verdict on the issue. College rules allow students to wear the hijab in class but not during lessons, according to officials.
Secondary Education Minister BV Nagesh said, "the matter is already before the high court and the government is awaiting the latter's verdict. Till such time all schools and colleges must follow the respective uniform code prescribed by their School Development and Monitoring Committees."
The Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions on Feb 8, filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college.
Nagesh said the uniform code is implemented in good faith with the intention to maintain harmony and brotherhood among students. "In this college (in Udupi district), the students were clearly informed about the uniform code in writing. The students had also agreed. They were complying till mid-January. I don't know who incited them, and suddenly they started protesting. I appeal to them to drop their protest and attend classes," he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the row, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Saturday said “By letting students’ hijab come in the way of their education, we are robbing the future of the daughters of India. Ma Saraswati gives knowledge to all. She doesn’t differentiate.”
Congress leader Siddaramaiah also threw his weight behind Muslim girls on their right to wear the hijab to educational institutions. "Wearing hijab is an old tradition. What problem is it causing to others? Moreover, the government has not stressed that uniform rules should be implemented at the PU level. The whole controversy is part of a conspiracy to deny education to Muslim women," he said.
But there is no sign of the controversy abating with far-right Hindu groups asking Hindu students to go to their respective colleges wearing saffron scarfs. Many students obeyed the ‘order’.
There is an ongoing row over wearing hijab by some students at a government pre-university college in the Udupi district of Karnataka. However, the row started to spread.
