Hijab Row highlights: Karnataka govt will abide by HC interim order, says CM

Several students wearing hijabs in colleges across Karnataka staged fresh protest on Wednesday as they were denied entry citing High Court's interim order. Section 144 has been imposed near SJMVS' Arts & Commerce College for Women in Hubballi. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister maintained that 'overall situation was peaceful'. The Karnataka HC will resume hearing on Thursday afternoon.

Karnataka govt will abide by HC interim order on Hijab row

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday told the state legislative assembly that his government will abide by the High Court's interim order on theHijabrow. (PTI)

Hijab row sponsored by BJP in Karnataka, charges SDPI

The social democratic party of India (SDPI) on Wednesday charged the BJP with 'sponsoring' and 'promoting' thehijab-saffron shawl issue in educational institutions in Karnataka.

Addressing reporters here, SDPI state general secretary B R Bhaskar Prasad alleged that the entire issue is a ‘criminal act’ sponsored by the BJP government in the state. Noting that the constitution never barred Muslim women wearinghijab, he alleged that the issue was created by a college principal which was later taken up by the Sangh Parivar outfits.

He sought to know whyhijabshould be banned as a religious symbol when Hindu symbols like thread and ‘nama’ are allowed. He also accused the Congress of adopting ‘double standards’ on the issue.

Court adjourned, hearing to resume at 2:30 pm tomorrow

Why not consult those affected before implementing universal uniform, asks counsel

Purpose of Karnataka Education Act is to promote harmony, not create dissent; where is the need to object an accepted practice? argues counsel

Why are Muslim girls who conscientiously believe that they should wear headscarf be put to a Hobson's choice regarding education and faith? Is it fair?: Muchhala

Will make SOP once we get HC judgement: Nagesh on hijab row

Once we get the copy of the High Court judgment, we will make SOPs in this regard: BC Nagesh, Karnataka Minister of Primary & Secondary Education on hijab row (ANI)

Girls went back only in 2 or 3 schools: Primary Education Minister B C Nagesh

I am happy that all schools are running properly and almost all the students have attended the classes, while only in 2-3 schools the girls went back: BC Nagesh, Karnataka Minister of Primary & Secondary Education as schools & colleges reopen amid Hijab row (ANI)

Does not matter if wearing of hijab is an Essential Religious Practice under Article 25, protecting belief is important: Sr Adv Muchhala

The question regarding integral part of religion arises when the right is claimed by a denomination under Article 26 and not when an individual is claiming freedom of conscience under Article 25.

Notice on uniform change must have been given on grounds of fairness, argues counsel

Uniform must not be so rigid, followed so strictly, argues counsel

Sr Adv Yusuf Muchhala argues government's hijab order manifestly arbitrary, cites three paras from Shayara Bano (Triple Talaq case)

Not allowing girls who wear hijab to enter schools is draconian, says counsel

Discriminating against Muslim girls, who are least represented in classrooms is draconian, he said.

Counsel urges judges to consider discrimination against hijab-clad girls as a humanitarian case

Why is just the hijab being targeted, and not turban worn by Sikhs or crucifix worn by Christians? argues counsel Ravivarma Kumar

The counsel now refers to a research paper based on a survey on religious symbols and clothing. It states that "many Indians display the religion through attire. Half of Hindus and Muslims majority of Christians say they generally wear a religious pendants. Most Hindu, Muslim, Sikh women cover their head outside the home." To this, Justice Dixit seeks to know the authenticity of the paper.

The arguments so far relate to establishing the fact whether or not the conduct of the state government in delegating to the CDC to decide whether to allow headscareves or not is "totally legal".

The counsel argues that the CDCs consists of MLAs. However, he adds that MLAs cannot be given administrative powers. He quotes a 2015 incident when local MLAS were given administrative powers at a committee constitued by the government. This was later challenged and the order was stayed.

The counsel argues that the CDC is to be constitued for the purpose to utilise the grants and maintain educational standards and its has no police power over students. He adds that uniform cannot be related to academic standards.

Counsel says that Section 143 of the Act deals with delegation to autorities under the Act. He adds that the CDCs are constituted by a circular in 2014 and not an order.

Justice Dixit says that even though the guidelines do not prohibit wearing of hijab, rule 9 grants the institutions the power to prohibit.

Counsel reads the GO and says "there us a direct indictment against those coming in hijab". He adds that as per the GO, in colleges coming under the jurisdiction of the PU board, students should wear uniform as per the CDC decision.

Counsel presents guidelines presecribed for PU colleges and argues that the rules does not prescribe any uniform. Neither the Education Act nor the guidelines issued by the department for PU colleges prohibits wearing of hijab, the counsel says.

Educational institutions should give one-year notice in advance to parents for change in uniform as per Education Act, says advocate

As per the Education Act, educational institutions should give one-year notice in advance to parents for change in uniform, says senior advocate.

Prof Ravivarma Kumar has resumed his submissions. He is referring to the Education Act.

This is the fourth day of the hearing and all advocates will present their argument before the bench now.

Karnataka High Court full bench resumes hearing on the hijab ban issue.

Karnataka High Court full bench to resume hearing on the hijab ban issue shortly.

Students stand firm on not removing hijab

We came to attend classes but they (school administration) asked us to remove burqa and hijab on entry. We were ready to remove burqa but will not remove hijab, says a student.

Udupi district from where the hijab row began has virtually been converted into a police fortress. Eight platoons of District Armed Reserve (DAR), two platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 700 police officers have been deployed on the premises of all colleges and schools in Udupi. MGM College of Udupi which witnessed high-drama regarding hijab earlier has declared holiday for indefinite period. The college administration has decided to take online classes.

Mandya and Davanagere district authorities have clamped prohibitory orders surrounding all schools and colleges as a preventive measure.

Education Minister B CNagesh requested the students to attend classes and focus on studies by following state guidelines.

Barring students, teachers and staff of colleges, movement of other persons have been restricted in the surrounding areas of the colleges.

Several Congress workers were taken into custody for encouraging students to wear hijab.

Section 144 imposed near SJMVS' Arts & Commerce College for Women in Hubballi

Police haveimposed Section 144 in 100-metre radius of SJMVS' Arts & Commerce College for Women at JC Nagar in Hubballi. They have started dispersing the crowd. Girl students have started leaving the college as holiday has been declared.

Holiday declared for SJMVS' Arts & Commerce College for Women in Hubballi

Holiday declared for SJMVS' Arts & Commerce College for Women at JC Nagar in Hubballiafter a protest was staged by members of different organisations, after more than 10 girl students wearing hijab were stopped from entering the classroom.

Leaders of Congress and NSUI, Muslim community leaders and others visited the spot andbegan protesting with the girls, and demanded to allow them to attend classes with hijab. Slogans were also raised, and Anjuman-E-Islam office-bearers held talks with the college principal.

After consulting Collegiate Education Department officials, the college principal Lingaraj Angadi announced holiday for the college.

(Reporting by Manjunath Hegde Bomnalli)

Police stop protesters from entering Taj Mahal premises to chant 'Hanuman Chalisa'

The police here stopped members of right-wing outfits from entering the Taj Mahal premises and reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' there as a mark of protest over the 'hijab' row that continued to simmer in Karnataka. The protesters demanded that people be restrained from wearing dresses according to their faith in schools and colleges and sought strict action against those creating ruckus in the name of 'hijab'.

Circle officer, Sadar, Rajeev Kumar said the protesters were stopped from entering the Taj Mahal at Shilpgram parking. (PTI)

Overall situation is peaceful, says Karnataka HM Araga Jnanendra

Over 15 students wearing hijab stopped from entering classroom in Udupi

More than 15 Muslim students of Dr G Shankar Govt Womens First Grade College, Udupi, were stopped from entering classrooms as they were wearing hijab. This college is located close to Government Womens College inUdupi.

Six protesting Muslim students of Udupi college skip classes

Six protesting Muslim students of Government Women’s PU college, Udupi, have skipped classes on Wednesday. The college has resumed offline classes after it was closed for a week over hijab issue.

Hijab row: BJP, Kateel delete tweets revealing personal details of petitioners

The official Twitter handles of Karnataka BJP unit and its president Nalin Kumar Kateel drew flak for tweeting the personal details of Muslim students who have moved the High Court in the hijab case.

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'Propaganda against India': Centre hits out at OIC for commenting on hijab row

India on Tuesday accused the secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of having a “communal mindset”, afterthe 57-nation-bloccondemnedthe recentbanon wearinghijabsin the educational institutions in Karnataka.

Read more

Police stop protesters from entering Taj Mahal premises to chant 'Hanuman Chalisa'

The police here stopped members of right-wing outfits from entering the Taj Mahal premises and reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' there as a mark of protest over the 'hijab' row that continued to simmer in Karnataka.

Read more