Schools in Karnataka reopened after a five-day break due to the ensuing hijab row and videos have emerged showing school authorities coercing students wearing a hijab to unveil themselves before entering the gates of the school.
The Karnataka High Court’s interim order had declared a ban on ‘religious clothing’ including the hijab until a judgment is reached in the case.
At a government Urdu school in Kalaburgi district, students had entered wearing hijabs but were asked to remove them after it was brought to the notice of the education department. At govt urdu school in #Kalaburgi #Karnataka students had come wearing #HijabControversy.After it was brought to the notice of education dept.They were asked to remove #HijabBan (1/2) #KarnatakaHijabRow pic.twitter.com/Cqz1HPpQTu— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) February 14, 2022
Students wearing hijabs were asked to remove them before entering a school campus in Mandya. Students of Rotary educational society school Mandya remove hijab when they were asked to, to attend classes. Most schools have enforced the ban on religious clothing earlier ordered by the Karnataka HC. @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/SBgScpCZox— Nikhila Henry (@NikhilaHenry) February 14, 2022
Students of Kasturba Balika government school in Shimoga removed their hijabs to attend classes. Students of Kasturba Balika government school in Shimoga remove hijab to attend classes as Karnataka High Court has enforced a ban on religious clothing in educational institutions. Schools where earlier hijab was allowed have also imposed the ban. @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/2FsCW7JiNV— Nikhila Henry (@NikhilaHenry) February 14, 2022
More than 30 students of a school in Kodagu refused to enter classrooms without a hijab and were told to go back home. Students of KPS school in Shimoga also refused to unveil themselves and were not allowed to attend classes. Some of the students at KPS school, #Shimoga #Karnataka refused to remove their #hijab.Education dept officials tried to convince them stating they are following HC orders. But students refused to remove hijab.Then they were asked to go home. #KarnatakaHijabRow #HijabControversy pic.twitter.com/pqp1QKq9UI— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) February 14, 2022
Raghupathi Bhat, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA of Udupi issued a statement saying, “In colleges where uniform is not followed and hijab was earlier allowed, students will be allowed to wear hijab. In colleges where it was not earlier allowed, status quo will continue.”
“This would mean Udupi PU College for Girls, where six students have been protesting for hijab will not allow hijab. But in a college like MGM college where students were reportedly allowed to wear hijab will continue to allow the same,” he added.
“Schools up to 10 standard will re-open from tomorrow. I’ve instructed the DCs, SPs and school administrations to conduct a peace committee meeting,” Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday while warning troublemakers of legal action.
Pre-University and degree colleges are shut till 15 February.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday will resume hearing the pleas filed by Muslim girls to be allowed to attend classes wearing hijabs.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
