Bangalore4 hours agoAuthor: Vinay Madhav
Just before the assembly elections in Karnataka, the situation of hijab controversy has flared up again. Muslim organizations from the southern districts of Karnataka have applied to open 13 new private colleges in the state. Hijab will not be banned in these colleges.
Never before had so many applications from Muslim organizations for opening private colleges been received. Not a single application was made by Muslim organizations in the last 5 years.
At present, hijab is banned in all government educational institutions of the state. Because of this, hundreds of girls from the Muslim community had left the exam.
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Private schools have the freedom to decide the dress code
In Karnataka, the previous government (Congress) had made dress code mandatory for government educational institutions. Private schools are free to set their own dress code. Now that religious symbols have been banned in government schools and colleges, it is up to private educational institutions whether to allow hijab or not. So Muslim organizations have decided to open their own colleges.
In January, students of different colleges in Karnataka also staged a sit-in outside the campus wearing hijab.
A senior official of the education department said that applications for opening new colleges are being scrutinised. An application has been approved. Applicants meet all the criteria to open the college then they can be approved.
No relief from High Court and Supreme Court
The Hijab controversy in Karnataka had started to subside after taking a violent turn. The petition seeking permission to wear hijab in schools and colleges was dismissed by the High Court and then the Supreme Court refused to hear.
Now organizations agitating in support of hijab have intensified the struggle. Girls not coming to school and refusing to take exams without hijab are also part of the movement. The Campus Front of India (CFI), which is leading it, recently held a rally.
The Karnataka High Court on March 14 gave a verdict against the hijab.
The dispute started on January 1
On February 8, 2022, a Muslim girl student wearing a hijab was surrounded by protesters chanting Jai Shri Ram at PES College in Mandya, Karnataka. After this incident, the controversy had gained more momentum.
The controversy over the hijab in Karnataka started on January 1. Here in Udupi, six Muslim girl students were barred from sitting in a class room in the college for wearing the hijab. The college management had cited the new uniform policy as the reason.
After this these girls filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court. The girls argue that not allowing them to wear the hijab is a violation of their fundamental right under Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution.