Hijab row intensifies

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

The hijab controversy seems to be spreading fast across the state with more students continuing to defy the interim order of High Court of Karnataka and trying to enter colleges wearing headscarves on Thursday, This has become a big problem for the state government as well as managements of colleges with students accompanied by their parents resorting to protests in in some districts.

There were also complaints from students and parents that college authorities and the police were insisting that students remove the hijab before entering the campus when the ban applied only to entry into classrooms. Arguments between parents of students and police were witnessed at several colleges.

In Belagavi, the police took six youth into custody as they entered into a wordy duel with the cops for denying entry into a paramedical college. The youths and members of some organisations were arrested for raising slogans against the principal. Later, the students wearing headscarves returned home.

In Hubballi-Dharwad, the police commissioner has issued an order extending prohibitory orders up to February 28 after protesting students along with their parents argued with the college authorities demanding entry with the hijab. Tension prevailed for some time when a protester asked a police sub-inspector to reveal his name. This resulted in an argument between the police and protesters.

In Hassan, a senior police officer threatened to book a case against a group of students who were holding a protest with placards near the college. The officer asked them to disperse as gatherings of more than five persons amounts to violation of Sec 144 of the CrPc. Two persons who spoke in defence of the agitated students were let off after a strict warning.

In Ballari, a group of students who were holding a protest in front of the college, gave up the stir after they were convinced about prohibitory orders as well as the court’s interim order.

In Shivamogga, students gathered in front of the DC’s office after a few hijab wearing students were denied entry into Kamala Nehru College.

CM: Order not applicable to degree colleges

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarifi ed that the interim order of the high court is not applicable to students of degree colleges. He felt the students and management of some degree colleges were creating confusion on the issue. Meanwhile, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said a report pertaining to incidents linked to the hijab row and agitation along with documentary evidence has been sent to the Union government.

“The ongoing agitation on the hijab issue is dangerous to the country. If not nipped in the bud, vested interests will pose a big problem. The investigative agencies have established the involvement of some organisations behind the stir. The state has recommended to the Centre to take action against these organisations.’’ he added.