Hijab controversy returns in Karnataka, fresh protest erupts in Hassan college

Mangalore Today News Network

Hassan, Mar 08, 2024: A controversy over the hijab has once again erupted in Karnataka, with a group of students in a private college in Hassan protesting against a Muslim girl wearing the hijab at the institute. The students protested by wearing saffron shawls.

 

Many of the Muslim students, who had discarded the hijab following the massive row in 2022, have restarted wearing it. This led to protests by students from the Hindu communities.

The Principal of Vidya Soudha College, Range Gowda, said that the incident happened two days ago and the authorities held a meeting with the Muslim students and parents, who agreed not to wear the hijab again.

“It wasn’t a hijab but some cloth that was worn that resembled a hijab. The student who wore it said she had an ear problem and hence covered her ear. We held a meeting with the student and parents, and they have agreed they will not repeat it,” the Principal said.

He also stated that the students who wore saffron shawls have also been directed to stop the protest. The Block Education Officer said that he was not aware of the issue. The Hassan Superintendent of Police is collecting information from the Education department.

A hijab is a type of headscarf worn by some Muslim women to cover their hair, neck, and sometimes parts of their face in accordance with Islamic principles.

In February 2022, the then Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government banned the hijab in educational institutions in the state. The decision led to multiple protests and counter-protests, resulting in the closure of institutions in the state.

The Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in December last year, announced that the government had decided to withdraw the hijab ban. However, no official order has been issued so far.

Courtesy: India Today