Hijab ban: Will take call after discussion, says Home Minister

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara said that a call would be taken on the virtual ban on the hijab in educational institutions in the state after consultation and within constitutional parameters.

He made the comments to mediapersons in Bengaluru on Sunday.

“We will discuss the issue. The chief minister has already indicated in public what the stand of the government might be. Now, everyone knows. The intention of his (CM Siddaramaiah’s) speech is to articulate that everyone has been granted rights within the constitution. Every individual has the right to choose what to eat and to wear. It is their fundamental right. This is the context in which the chief minister made the proposition. The BJP has taken this and is imagining things on a large scale, which isn’t necessary,” Parameshwara said.

Asked whether the State government could intervene and take a discussion when the matter was subjudice, he replied that they would inspect the law and then take a call.

“We will take a call within the confines of the law. We will check the law, wait and take a decision which won’t get sub judice. The Law Minister (HK Patil) has also said this,” he said.

“We are capable of upholding the law. Our government prioritizes the maintenance of law and order. This is why we said Karnataka should be a garden of peace for all communities, Parameshwara added.