Hijab: Netas spar as spat hits more districts

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

The raging controversy over wearing the Hijab in schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts has taken a political turn with the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress indulging in a slugfest on the subject. This issue was till recently restricted to the two districts but has now become a political issue.

Congress Legislature Party Leader Siddaramaiah said the state government has never said that the dress code (uniform code) must be extended till the PU level. Denying entry to Hijab wearing students inside the college by the principal amounted to gross violation of fundamental rights, he said. “The Hijab has been in practice for a long time. Why do others have a problem with it? It is an attempt to deny education to Muslim girl students”.

The former CM said the principal stopping students from entering the college was a big insult. Who is MLA Raghupati Bhat to advise the government to make the uniform mandatory? The government must not be carried away by such statements. The college principal must be suspended immediately for his inhumane act, he said. 
Deputy Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly U.T. Khader said wearing the hijab is a fundamental right and none can snatch it away. The BJP has raked up this issue for political gain. Right wing organisations are trying to ignite communal feelings among people by asking their cadre to wear saffron shawls to educational institutions, he said. Meanwhile, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K.S.Eshwarappa blamed the Congress and some other organisations for the ongoing Hijab controversy. He told the media that students come to school/college to study. But they were instigated by some political parties or organisations to create a controversy and blame the incumbent BJP government. The students must not fall prey to such traps and ruin their career. They must wear the uniform prescribed by the school or college authorities concerned, he added. Spread to districts.

The controversy has now spread to other districts. In Mysuru, a group of girl students gathered in front of a college near Torch Light Parade grounds in Bannimantap and carried placards saying wearing of hijab was their fundamental right. In Belagavi, a group of students tried to enter their college wearing saffron shawls in Ramdurg and were allowed inside only after removing the shawls.