By Shankar Raj*
Bengaluru: As the hijab-saffron shawl issue resulted in clashes and tension in many colleges in Karnataka, a worried Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ordered shutting down of schools and colleges for the next three days. Effectively the educational institutions would reopen only after five days on Monday next. By that time, the Karnataka High Court would have given its verdict on the case filed by a few girl students pleading for their right to wear hijabs to educational institutions. The case was adjourned to Wednesday February 9, 2022 after an elaborate hearing today.
While hearing the petition, the Court expressed deep displeasure over students taking their protests to the streets. “Pending further hearing of the matter, this Court requests the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity. This court has full faith in the wisdom and virtue of the public at large and it hopes that the same would be put to practice.”
The move to close educational institutions comes after Bommai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah who was keen to cap the trouble in the early days, especially in view of major elections in north Indian states.
“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges for the next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate,” Bommai said on Tuesday.
Also read: Hijab row refuses to die down in Karnataka
The Congress and the JD(S) are half-hearted in supporting the hijab row as this may antagonise the large Hindu population in coastal and north Karnataka ahead of the Assembly elections in 2023.
Meanwhile clashes broke out in Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College in Udupi Tuesday and in Shivamogga as groups of students with saffron scarfs and those wearing hijabs clashed with each other.
Groups of protesters threw stones at each other and students at a college in Shivamogga wearing saffron scarves cheered and chanted “Jai Shri Ram” and danced as one of them climbed a flag staff and put up a saffron flag. Later, Section 144 was imposed in a few areas prohibiting gatherings of more than four people.
In Harihara and Davengere in north Karnataka, large gatherings were banned after hijab-wearing protesters and those wearing saffron shawls threw stones at each other. The police used teargas and batons to break them up.
In Mandya, a Muslim girl was heckled by a large number saffron scarf wearing who shouted “Jai Shri Ram”. She shouted back at them: “Allah hu Akbar!”
The hijab versus saffron scarves on campus row is spreading to more areas even as today’s incidents took on a communal colour with the confrontations turning more aggressive. Parents of Muslim students along with members of various organisations staged a protest in front of colleges in several districts.
The hijab protests began last month at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi when six students alleged that they had been barred from classes for insisting on wearing the headscarf. Right-wing groups in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru objected to Muslim girls wearing the hijab to class.
On Saturday, the state government banned clothes which it said “disturb equality, integrity and public order”. “In the event of the administrative committee not selecting a uniform, clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order should not be worn,” the order said.
Suspecting hidden hands behind these protests, home minister Araga Jnanendra said he has ordered a probe to ascertain who is backing the Muslim students. “Uniform dress is a symbol of equality. Children are saying they want hijab, but they have not argued or protested for it earlier. I doubt some vested interest is behind the issue,” Jnanendra said.
“Wearing of both hijab and shawl is not allowed inside college premises. The state government has already issued an order. But protests are continuing, which suggests someone is backing these students,” the home minister said.
Primary and secondary education minister BC Nagesh alleged fundamental forces were behind the hijab controversy as they don’t want empowerment of Muslim women.
*Shankar Raj is former Editor of The New Indian Express, Karnataka and Kerala, and writes regularly on current affairs.
