After enforcing a ban on hijab in schools and colleges in Karnataka, now a fresh issue is being raked up targeted toward the Muslim community in the state. A section of Hindu employees of the state-owned Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) objecting to the Muslim drivers, conductors and others wearing skull caps, are now attending duty donning saffron shawls.
Objecting to the wearing of skull caps by their Muslim colleagues, a section of Hindu employees said that it was in violation of the uniform rules set by the BMTC. The BMTC has specified uniforms for its employees.
According to reports, Hindu employees have formed an association named “Kesari Karmikara Sangha”, which is aimed at implementing strict uniform rules in BMTC and banning of wearing of skull caps by Muslims.
Nearly 1,500 employees have been registered under the association and decided to wear saffron shawls until the skull caps are shunned during duty hours, IANS reported.
M.R. Venkatesh, BMTC Vice Chairman has told the news agency that he came to know about the situation only when he saw it in the media.
“I request the media not to give importance to this news. BMTC has a uniform code similar to the police department. The employees will have to follow uniform rules like how they are following all these days,” he said, adding they will have to be disciplined. “There is no confusion.”
Venkatesh said legal action would be initiated against the formation of “Kesari Karmikara Sangha” and “this won’t be encouraged.”
Further, the Vice Chairman said he has directed all depots and managed the situation efficiently “without giving room for confusion.”
(With Inputs from IANS)
