Hijab Row Highlights: Schools to reopen on February 14, says Karnataka CM Bommai

Schools up to class 10 will reopen in Karnataka from February 14, announced CM Basavaraj Bommai. However, the decision on reopening colleges will be taken later. Stay tuned on DH for more updates tomorrow.

Activists from Students Federation of India (SFI) hold placards during a demonstration against the recenthijabban in a few of Karnataka's educational institutes, in Chennai. (AFP Photo)

Hijab row fallout: Hyderabad colleges battle complaints, false social media posts

As the Hijab row rages on in Karnataka, the repercussions are being felt in Telangana's Hyderabad.

Educational institutions in Hyderabad, especially those run by non-Muslims in Muslim-dominated areas, are worried over complaints and “false” social media posts claiming that the institutes are disallowing hijab and burqa-wearing girls from entering the campuses.

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Schools to reopen on February 14, colleges later: Karnataka CM Bommai

Manchester United midfielder and world Cup winner Paul Pogba shares video of hijab protests on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/stories/paulpogba/2770492210922923629/

RSS’ Muslim Wing backs burqa-clad girl, says ‘purdah’ part of Indian culture

Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), the RSS's Muslim wing, has backed the burqa-clad student who was heckled by youth shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans at a Karnataka college, saying ‘purdah’ is part of Indian culture.

A video of the girl, Bibi Muskan Khan, confronting the youngsters wearing saffron scarves has gone viral on social media. The group had gathered outside the college demanding a ban on hijab and burqa in educational institutions. (PTI)

"Uniforms should be donned in schools. You are free to wear whatever you want, outside school. Priyanka Gandhi said women can wear bikinis but one can't go to school, college wearing a bikini. It's not right to play politics in the school," said BJP General Secretary CT Ravi on hijab row. (ANI)

'Purdah is not essential but covering of head by scarf is obligatory,' Adv Kamat refers to Holy Quran

Adv Kamat refers to Verse 24.31 of Holy Quran. "The prescription of head scarf is specifically prescribed in Holy Quran," he said.

"It is, thus, seen from the reported material that there is almost unanimity amongst Muslim scholars that purdah is not essential but covering of head by scarf is obligatory", Kamat quotes from the Madras HC decision Ajmal Khan case.

Unfortunate that some people are trying to gain political mileage out of it: Ajit Pawar on Hijab row

On Hijab row, Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar said, "We should avoid incidents that can further divide society. It’s unfortunate that some people are trying to gain political mileage out of it. Indian culture & Constitution don't teach us to divide people on caste & religious lines."

Adv Kamat said that the GO is based on weak foundation. He now takes the bench to the decisions cited in the GO. The first one is the Kerala HC judgment which refused to permit a Muslim student to wear head scarf in a pvt school.

"Ultimately, what the Court held that a private minority institution cannot be forced to allow this," Adv Kamat said.

"I will be very brief and my arguments will be for considering interim relief. These are students who have been going to college wearing head scarf till February 3 when they were stopped and told unless you remove your head scarf you cannot go in," Adv Kamat started his submission,

"GO issued on February 5 suffers from total non application of mind. The three judgements relied on by GO to say that wearing of Hijab is not a fundamental right shows a complete non-application of mind. All these three judgements are totally against the state," he added.

Adv Hegde pointed out that the Motor Vehicles Rules exempt Sikhs who wear turbans from the requirement of helmet while riding bikes. "Similarly, in the Supreme Court rules, there are provisions for pardansashin women," he added.

"There is prima facie case, and a balance of convenience in my favour, denial to attend college will have serious consequences," said Adv Hegde

Advocate Hegde refers to the Kerala High Court judgment which held hijab as an essential religious practice.

Constitutional rights cannot be left to the adjudication of politicians whether they are in power or not or whether they are elected or unelected: Adv Hegde

"Here, the petitioners assert the right to wear hijab on the freedom of conscience as well as their right to religion. The lead case on freedom of conscience is Bijoe Emmanuel, where the court decided on the freedom of conscience without going into religious practice," Adv Hegde said

Hegde narrates the facts of Bijoe Emmanuel and says that the situation is similar to the present cases.

"Article 25 confers two rights. One is the freedom of conscience. Second is the freedom to practice and propagate religion. SC has held that only essential religious practices are protected under Art 25," said Advocate Hegde

Advocate Hegde refers to the Judgment of SC in the case of Puttaswamy regarding the Right to Privacy.

Advocate Hegde resumes. He refers to the NALSA judgment which observed that clothing can also form part of one's expression and identity.

Adv Hedge argues that this is not just a case of religious practice but a case of essential education rights

This is a question of a woman's identity and dignity: Adv Hegde

There is no provision for penalty for infraction of a uniform code: Adv Hegde

"There is no provision for penalty for infraction of a uniform code. In Karnataka Education Act, penalties are largely for management," said Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the petitioners

Kamat says that in the GO the State has made a declaration that head scarf is not a part of religion. That is why the challenge to the GO is important.

Our fundamental right is held hostage to some school committee. The GO says prohibition of head scarf is not a violation of Article 25. The GO is not as innocuous as the State says: Kamat

The state is playing by the fire, says Adv Kamat

"Let them continue to wear headscarf of the same colour and continue going to college. The state is playing by the fire. In the GO, State says that head scarf is not a religious practice and discretion is given to CDC to decide," said Adv kamat

"This is not a issue of uniform. The students were wearing uniform. They only wanted to wear the head scarf of the same colour. The State has issued a GO saying head scarf cannot be worn. This is part of their religious culture. This is an innocuous practice," said Devadatt Kamat.

Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi requests media not to report oral observations and wait for the Court order

Day 3 | Karnataka High Court hears petition on the hijab row

Three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and also comprising Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi begins hearing various petitions

Activists from All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) hold placards and march during a demonstration in New Delhi to protest after students at government-run high schools in India's Karnataka state were told not to wear hijabs in the premises of the institute. (AFP Photo)

RJD hits out at Modi for calling Nitish a great socialist leader

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) vice president Shivanand Tiwari has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling Nitish Kumar a great socialist (Samajwadi) leader of the country.

"Nitish Kumar did not have a political successor. Hence, anyone can give a certificate of a great socialist leader to him. You are free to recognize anyone as a socialist leader but I believe this is not the way to judge a person if he is a socialist or not," Tiwari said. (IANS)

Three-judge bench of Karnataka HC to hear hijab petition today

All eyes are set on the three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, which will hear on Thursday afternoon the petitions questioning the ban on wearing of 'hijabs' (headscarves) by students in colleges. Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi on Wednesday had constituted a full bench comprising himself, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Jaibunnisa M Khazi in view of the urgency to hear the matter. (PTI)

SC to consider listing plea on Karnataka hijab row

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would consider a submission seeking the listing of a plea for transferring a case on the hijab row from the Karnataka High Court to itself. (PTI)

We will see, says CJI when Kapil Sibal insists on listing of plea on Karnataka 'hijab' row in SC

Entire issue took place as BJP is losing its base in Karnataka, alleges DKS

Congress MP gives adjournment notice in Lok Sabha on Tricolour issue in Karnataka

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday moved an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the incident of replacing the National Flag with RSS/ ABVP flag in an educational institution in Karnataka which tantamount to insulting the Tricolour. The MP has sought to direct the government to take strict action against the violators. The incident pertains to Karnataka where a few people are seen hoisting RSS flag in the college campus amid protests on the hijab row, Manickam Tagore said.

The hijab row started last month with a few students of Udupi Government Pre-University College wearing hijab being denied permission to attend classes. The college authorities maintained that the students, who used to come without hijabs, suddenly started coming in hijab. The students later went on to protest refusing to attend classes without hijab. The issue became a controversy and spread to other districts, leading to tension and even violence.

Bommai govt to decide on extending closure of high schools, colleges today

I'll hold a meeting with Primary & Secondary Edu Minister BC Nagesh & officials along with State Home Minister to discuss briefly whatever happened.

(ANI)

Constitution allows us to wear whatever we want, says Shivakumar on hijab row

We will see, says CJI when Kapil Sibal insists on listing of plea on Karnataka 'hijab' row in SC

Muslim women participate in a silent protest against banning Muslim girls wearing hijab from attending classes at some schools in Karnataka, in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Pakistan summons Indian Charge d’Affaires over hijab controversy

Pakistan has summoned India's Charge d’Affaires here to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed the government’s grave concern on the ban on Muslim girl students from wearing hijab in Karnataka.

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Ruckus over hijab is criminal conspiracy to misinform on uniform: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

I appeal to outsiders to not disturb peace and tranquility in school campuses and in the State. It is our duty to create a peaceful atmosphere so that justice can be delivered: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on hijab row, in Bengaluru

Supreme Court declines to urgently list a plea seeking transfer of the petitions from Karnataka High Court relating to Hijab row to the apex court.

Supreme Court says HC is getting the matter today, asks why it should interfere at this stage. It refuses to give any specific date

BJP not allowing girls to wear hijab and study: Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has brought the 'hijab' row to Uttar Pradesh elections. "The BJP government is not allowing our daughters to wear a hijab and study but Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about empowering Muslim women with the triple talaq law. Is this his Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign pitch?" asked Owaisi while campaigning in Sambhal on Tuesday.

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Hijab row: Agitating girls keep fingers crossed

The girls, who demanded hijab at Government PU College in Udupi, are keeping their fingers crossed and waiting for the court verdict. One of the girls, Aliya Assadi, told reporters that they believe strongly in the court, but were slightly disheartened by the delay in the announcement of the verdict.

Udupi is a long way from Lucknow, but the hijab controversy is just the kind of emotive issue that could help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) polarise voters in the UP election.

UP begins voting in its phase 1 election today. Track live updates on the Assembly polls here

At 2:30 pm | Three-judge full bench of Karnataka High Court to hear hijab pleas

A three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the hijab controversy. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions at 2.30 pm on Thursday.

Also read: Hijab row: Karnataka HC refers matter to larger bench

In a significant move, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has come out in support of the Karnataka student, Bibi Muskan Khan, who shot to prominence during hijab protests, and said that hijab or 'pardah' is also part of Indian culture.

The RSS Muslim wing -- Muslim Rashtriya Manch -- has backed Bibi Muskan's plea to wear a hijab and condemned the saffron frenzy surrounding her.

Talking to reporters, Anil Singh, Avadh prant sanchalak of Muslim Rashtriya Manch, said, "She is a daughter and sister of our community. We stand by her in her hour of crisis."

Bengaluru: Gatherings banned within 200 metres of educational institutions

Following the Hijab controversy in some parts of Karnataka, Bengaluru police chief Kamal Pant has banned gatherings, demonstrations, protests and all other “peace-disturbing” activities within 200 metres of educational institutions in the city for two weeks.

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DH Toon | 'Amrit Kaal' of communalism

A three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the hijab controversy. The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions at 2.30 pm...

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Hijab controversy: More to do with UP than Karnataka?

Udupi is a long way from Lucknow, but the hijab controversy is just the kind of emotive issue that could help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) polarise voters in the UP election.

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Hijab row: 200 JNU women students extend solidarity to Muslim students in Karnataka

Around 200 women students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have extended their "unflinching and unconditional support" to Muslim students in Karnataka, saying prohibiting women from wearing hijab reflects the "patriarchal and Islamophobic tendencies" of the state and its institutions.

In a statement, the students said forcing Muslim women to give up their hijab is a clear violation of Article 25 of the Indian constitution which guarantees religious freedom, and forbidding them from entering the classroom infringes upon Article 21 (A) and Article 15, which guarantee the right to education and prohibit discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth respectively.