Karnataka Rife With Tensions as Hijab-Clad Students Resume Protests

Four days after schools and colleges were reopened across Karnataka, hijab-clad students marked their protest outside the state's pre-university colleges and high schools, fighting for their right to be let inside classrooms on Thursday, 17 February.

(Photo Courtesy: Quint Hindi)

Four days after schools and colleges were reopened across Karnataka, hijab-clad students marked their protest outside the state's pre-university colleges and high schools, fighting for their right to be let inside classrooms on Thursday, 17 February.

Reports of protest and consequent unrest in the state have surfaced throughout the week after the Karnataka High Court passed an interim order prohibiting students from wearing hijab or any other similar religious attire.

On Thursday, tensions were rife in Shivamoga DVS college, where over 20 hijab-wearing students refused to remove their headscarves.

Disallowing them from entering classes, police and college authorities sent them back, IANS reported.

Meanwhile, students in Sarala Devi College in Ballari resumed their protest for a second consecutive day. The students reportedly questioned the authorities why Hindu students were allowed inside while donning bindis and bangles.

‘Girls Were Instigated’: Primary and Secondary Education Minister

Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh on Thursday said that the problem is only with a few students and in a few colleges.

“Most of the students are attending the classes according to the order by the high court," he told reporters.

"Out of 77,000 schools the Karnataka government is running, only five to six have the problem. The classes are running, only a few girls are saying hijab is more important, Allahu akbar is more important," Nagesh said.

He further added, "Their age is 10 to 15 years old. Some people have instigated them to do such things. Today, most of the schools, disturbed schools have come to a peaceful atmosphere."

"Out of 5,300 PU colleges, we had problem in 11 colleges. But when principals came, almost six colleges accepted that educaton is important, not hijab. Only four to five colleges are saying hijab is more important."

"You know the sanskriti (culture) of this nation, no woman will be disrespected," Nagesh added.

Prohibitory Orders in Hubballi, Vijayapura

Several parts of the state have orders prohibiting movement in place on Thursday. Police also imposed section 144 in Hubballi-Dharwad within a 200-metre radius of all educational institutions with immediate effect till 28 February, news agency ANI reported.

In Belagavi, six people, who came out in support of hijab-wearing students, were taken into custody near the Vijay Paramedical College. The individuals reportedly raised 'Allah hu Akbar' slogans.

In RLS College, Koppal and Veerashaiva Mahila College Ballary, students wearing hijabs were reportedly sent back too. Empress Girls High School in Tumakuru also had similar restrictions in place, and visuals of students waiting outside emerged online.

Over 20 students of Government Women's Pre-University College in Vijayapura refused to take exams and the local police imposed prohibitory orders within 200-metre radius of the college.

Meanwhile, State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra met Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at his residence and discussed the situation in the state.

Protests had reportedly erupted in Vijaypura, Bijapur, Kalaburagi Raichur, and Yadgir on Wednesday.

(With inputs from IANS.)