Category: Karnataka

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Karnataka’s polarising politics casts a shadow on Bengaluru

The loss of reputation of Bengaluru city at the global level is a matter of imagination, he underlined…reports M.K. Ashoka

Following a series of controversial incidents, fears are being expressed that the reputation of I-T hub Bengaluru city is getting hit at the global level. Karnataka, considered as the most favourable destination for investors, is seeing communal unrest.

Although Karnataka and especially its capital Bengaluru have witnessed violence, communal clashes and terrorist strikes in the past, never in its history has the state faced a similar situation. The growing demand for banning Muslim merchants from the temple premises, religious fairs, ‘halal’ meat, Muslim mango traders, artisans, transporters and drivers and banning the hijab by Hindutva forces has suddenly put the peaceful state under the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

The chain of events was triggered after Muslim organizations staged a protest opposing the verdict of the Karnataka High Court upholding the ban on the hijab in classrooms. The court had dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear the hijab in the classrooms. The court had also observed that wearing of the hijab is not an essential practice.

Minister for IT-BT, Science & Technology, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood C.N. Ashwath Narayan stated that the IT and BT industry has not been affected by the developments in the state. “No company is going out of Bengaluru and there is no question that the supremacy of Bengaluru at the global level is harmed due to the recent communal polarization.”

The loss of reputation of Bengaluru city at the global level is a matter of imagination, he underlined.

Biocon Chief Kiran Majumdar-Shaw brought out the concerns of the IT-BT industry over the communal polarization in the state. “If IT-BT sector becomes communal, it would destroy our global leadership,” she had warned.

“Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must now allow such communal exclusion,” she stated on her social media. Shaw took to social media urging Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to resolve this growing religious divide.

Analysts and litterateurs fear that the issue has created a deep communal divide in the society and have written a letter to Bommai in this regard. Muslim leaders have met the powerful and influential Pejawar Mutt seer seeking his intervention.

State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has stated in the backdrop of communal developments that no one is bothered about assuring investors who are hesitant to invest in Karnataka by ensuring peace.

“In our state, peace is disturbed. The Andhra Pradesh government is pursuing the industrialists who are hesitant to invest in Karnataka to their state. At this juncture, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, none from the ruling BJP government are bothered about clarifying to the industrialists that they will ensure peace. CM Bommai is not opening his mouth on assuring people that he wouldn’t let industrialists go to other states and create job opportunities here,” he said.

Shivakumar stated that let the government conduct a survey on how many industries have gone to other states because of the developments encouraged by the ruling party in the state.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah maintained that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is not only quiet but supporting all the developments taking place with a divisive agenda which will drive away global investors from the state.

The BJP government stated in the assembly that they can’t stop temple authorities from banning non-Hindu merchants from carrying out business inside the temple premises and religious fairs. Bommai said that investors are going nowhere and Karnataka is still on the top as far as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is concerned. “In the last three quarters highest FDI has come to Karnataka state. We have got 2.224 billion dollars in startups and theirs is 0.5. There is no comparison of the state with any other state of the country,” Bommai maintained.

Bengaluru is known as the centre of India’s high-tech industry. Karnataka continues its domination of being the number one state in the country in terms of software exports. The software export figures touched Rs 2 lakh crores for the first time in history.

Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, informed the Rajya Sabha that Karnataka’s software exports for the year 2020-21 touched Rs 2,04,648.96 crores. Maharashtra, which comes second registered software exports at Rs 99,732.48 crores. Though much is hyped about the competition of Bengaluru with Hyderabad, the exports from Telangana state stood at Rs 71,574.19 crores.

The software exports from Karnataka have seen a steady growth in the past years Rs 1,41,846 crore (2016-17), Rs 1,52,280.16 crore (2017-18), Rs 1,69,699 .08 crore (2018-19) and Rs 1,94,473.28 crore (2019-20).

Doddabasavaraju, Managing Director, Karnataka Udyog Mitra, Bengaluru, told that the statements issued on investments going out of the state are wrong. The state is getting investments in all sectors and preparations are in full swing for the Global Investors Meet. After the unveiling of the logo, road shows are being planned. Industries are coming to Karnataka despite Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh offering free land, he said.

“Every industrialist will make mandatory visits to three to four states in the country and ultimately they are coming back to Karnataka. Since huge investments are coming, the state government is purchasing 22,000 acres of land in and around Bengaluru,” he said.

ALSO READ-Muslim sculptors, mango traders new target in Karnataka

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Plan to broadcast Hindu prayers during azaan in K’taka

This being a sensitive issue, more so as Ramzan has just begun, the police is making elaborate security arrangements…reports Asian Lite News

The situation is turning more serious in Karnataka with Hindu organisations planning to broadcast Hindu prayers at the time of azaan in mosques.

Hindu activist Bharath Shetty stated on Monday that the campaign would start in Anjaneya temple of Yelahanka in Bengaluru at 5 a.m., during the time of azaan. The campaign is planned throughout the state, he said.

This being a sensitive issue, more so as Ramzan has just begun, the police is making elaborate security arrangements.

The Hindu organisations are planning to broadcast “Om Namah Shivay”, “Jai Shri Ram” slogans and other devotional prayers exactly at the time of azaan in mosques.

The Shri Ram Sena has stated that it had submitted a request to the auhorities for stopping the use of loudspeakers at 5 a.m. The tehsildar and the Pollution Control Board did not take any action on it.

“We will submit a complaint to the District Commissioners as a last resort. The government should ask the Muslim community to follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court. We do not oppose their prayers. But, we oppose the use of loudspeakers because of which lakhs of people are put to inconvenience,” Shri Ran Sena founder Pramod Muthalik stated.

Every day at 5 a.m., there will be Ram Bhajans and prayers to Lord Shiva played in temples, he stated.

ALSO READ-‘Invest Karnataka 2022’

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‘Invest Karnataka 2022’

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announces launch of ‘Invest Karnataka 2022’ Meet in Bengaluru. The theme of the vent will be “Build for the World”

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced the launch of the three-day Global Investor Meet (GIM) titled as ‘Invest Karnataka 2022’. The flagship investor event of the Karnataka government aims to attract investments from across the world.

The event would be held in Bengaluru from November 2 to November 4, 2022.

The launch event was organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce at the ITC Gardenia here on Tuesday night.

 Karnataka last hosted a GIM in 2016, which concluded with 1,201 approved projects and MoUs valued at Rs 3,08,810 crore.

Launching the theme of the GIM 2022, “Build for the World”, the Chief Minister said “Investors have always believed in Karnataka and created the capability for the state to host a Global Investors Meet. The post-Covid economic growth is the right time to invest in Bengaluru which is not only an IT, BT hub but also a financial hub.”

Bommai called upon Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani to bring in a broad-spectrum and holistic investment across sectors – semiconductors, electronics, defence, aerospace, energy, biotechnology, IT, manufacturing, MSMEs, cottage industries. Investments that percolate down the economy.

He urged to not only sign MoUs but to materialise projects from genuine investors and showcase them at the GIM.

The Chief Minister also called on the industrialists to be the “leaders of change by investing in Karnataka”.

“The aim is to envision a ‘New Karnataka for New India’ – creating new 21st century industrial townships and corridors,” Bommai said.

Unveiling the logo, the Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries said, “We are delighted to officially announce the much-anticipated GIM 2022.”

The purpose of the GIM is to showcase the robust industrial-friendly ecosystem of Karnataka, attract huge investments from global players, and spread industrialisation across Karnataka, Nirani added.

“We have acquired sufficient land banks for the investors who would want to invest in the state. Our chief minister has presented a people-friendly budget that is a game-changer. The state is home to 400+ R& D centres, 85+ chip design houses, and is a key player in the supply chain for the global markets,” he said.

The minister further called upon the industrial fraternity to uphold Karnataka in the top position.

Apart from creating favourable cost economics for the companies to invest in the state, the Government of Karnataka is working on providing a complete ecosystem to its investors, Nirani reiterated.

This edition of the GIM will be under the theme “Build for the World” reflecting on the role Karnataka aims to play in the global supply chain.

Meanwhile, Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, said “Through this Global Investor Meet, we will continue to engage with the global community by bringing together business and thought leaders from a multitude of areas and sectors.”

The 3-day event – Invest Karnataka 2022, will comprise plenary sessions, panel discussions, multiple networking opportunities.

Over 50 business, political, thought leaders to feature covering themes and sectors that are crucial to Karnataka’s growth story.

More than 5000 senior delegates across sectors including Manufacturing, Infrastructure, IT, Energy, Education, Tourism are expected to attend.

The state government has planned roadshows in key cities and abroad to drive investments as part of GIM.

ALSO READ-Bengaluru to evolve as major defence hub: Bommai

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AIMPLB moves SC against hijab verdict

A clutch of pleas has been moved in the apex court challenging the high court decision…reports Asian Lite News

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka High Court judgment, which upheld the ban on hijab in classrooms after holding that the wearing of headscarves by Muslim women was not an essential religious practice.

The board has moved the top court along with two other petitioners namely, Munisa Bushra and Jaleesa Sultana Yaseen. The plea said the high court judgment while dismissing the petitions, has proceeded with erroneous reasons to address the issue.

The plea said: “It is a case of direct discrimination against Muslim girls. The High Court has created distinction between the principles laid down in the case of Bijoe Emmanuel by giving different contextual meaning (as a case of discipline) and on the other hand the practice of hijab, is reflected as if it was a case disturbing the entire uniform that too when this minor variation (of covering the head like the Sikh’s do) can be reasonably accommodated within the constitutional norm being part religious practices.”

The plea contended that laying too much emphasis on bringing “uniformity” in the uniform without accommodating a person of one religion ‘to cover her hair with a piece of cloth’ is travesty of justice, and the judgment also ignores the doctrine of reasonable accommodation.

The plea said: “The determination of essentials under the principles of essential religious practice (ERP) had started with the idea of determination of essential religious practice that fell within the complete autonomy of the religious denomination in the matters of deciding as to what rites and ceremonies are essential according to tenets of a religion.”

The plea contended that while dealing with the issue of protection of fundamental rights, the high court judgment has given completely erroneous interpretation to the concept of intelligible differentia.

The plea added that by grouping all the students in uniformity without acknowledging that such interpretation is not only against the prevailing practices in different parts of the country but also such accommodations are generally available for differently grouped students. “It is completely irrational and against the objective of maintaining diversity as contemplated in the Constitution of India,” it said.

A clutch of pleas has been moved in the apex court challenging the high court decision.

On March 24, the Supreme Court declined to give any specific date to hear a plea challenging the Karnataka High Court order, which dismissed all petitions seeking direction for permission to wear hijab in classrooms.

Another plea filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed and Rahamathullah Kothwal said the high court order creates an unreasonable classification between the non-Muslim female students and the Muslim female students and thereby is in straight violation of the concept of secularism which forms the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The petitioners are Mohamed Arif Jameel and others.

The plea said: “The impugned order is also in sheer violation of the Article 14, 15, 19, 21 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and also violates the core principles of the International Conventions that India is a signatory to.”

It further added, “Being aggrieved by the impugned Government Order, as it is in violation of Indian constitution, the petitioner had approached the Hon’ble High Court by way of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition challenging the validity of the same.”

ALSO READ-No urgent hearing on hijab in Supreme Court

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‘Polarising’ Karnataka

There was also a slew of supportive announcements by the ruling BJP on these measures, seemingly for the polarization of the majority Hindu votes in the state…reports M K Ashoka

Karnataka is witnessing unprecedented communal polarization before the next Assembly elections scheduled for May 2023. Analysts have raised concerns that it is the first time in the 75 years of the post-independence period that such deep polarization is taking place in the state known for its harmony.

First it was the cow slaughter ban, then the anti-conversion bill, later the hijab row; then it was the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha followed by the proposal to introduce the Bhagavad Gita in the school syllabus; strict implementation of the hijab verdict by not allowing Muslim students wearing hijab into exam rooms; announcement on celebration of Ugadi festival as ‘Dharmikadina’ (religious day); ban on Muslim traders at Hindu religious fairs and temples for protesting against the High Court verdict on wearing the hijab.

There was also a slew of supportive announcements by the ruling BJP on these measures, seemingly for the polarization of the majority Hindu votes in the state.

On the other hand, some organizations and students of the minority community stated that their holy book, the Quran is more important to them than the rules and guidelines. Congress leader Akram Khan had even stated that if anyone tries to meddle with Islam they will be cut into pieces. Students who have refused to sit for exams without the hijab have also stated that religion is more important to them than education. A few of them said religion is as important as education for them.

Political thinker Basavaraj Sulibhavi said that harmony has been the heritage of Karnataka state. The revered poet Kuvempu has described it as a peaceful garden of people of all religions. Religious harmony and composition between religions in the state is notable.

Communal polarization is not easy in Karnataka. The BJP has never got a majority in the state. Though the state witnessed communal clashes, the people belonging to different faiths share a strong bond.

Bababudangiri pilgrimage centre, Santa Shishunala Sharif and Guru Govind Bhat lineage are standing testimonials to the integration of ‘Sufi’, ‘Sharana’, ‘Natha’ and ‘Aaroodha’ streams. In Gadag district, a single trust manages a mosque, temple and church. In north Karnataka, even though only two or three Muslim families live there, whole villages celebrate Moharram with fervour. Muslims come to Gadag Savatur Lingayat Math on Moharram and conduct namaz in the premises of the Math. All of them are served food there only, Sulibhavi explained.

“Today minds are being filled with communal hatred for political gains. I don’t think it will challenge the basic structure of the harmonious fabric of the state,” he said.

The hijab row which started as a small protest by six students of Udupi Girl’s Pre-University College is now being discussed at the international level. It snowballed into a major crisis, leading to sharp divisions among the student community. Across the state, the minds of young students, especially those studying in Pre-University Colleges, are being divided on communal lines.

The murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha also made national headlines. The post murder developments, 7 days of curfew in Shivamogga and the government’s decision to provide Rs 25 lakh compensation to the family of Harsha, a series of statements including on hoisting the saffron flag on the Red Fort have again indicated clear polarization.

Encouraged by the government’s alleged pro-Hindu stand, the forces of Hindutva have been emboldened to issue statements for boycotting any transaction with Muslim business establishments until they stopped eating beef. Banners and posters have cropped up regarding this matter.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has stated that there is no space for hate politics in the state. “Here, there is only space for politics based on friendship and harmony. People will know ‘who is who’ and won’t support the communal agenda pursued by the BJP.”

Professor Mujaffar Assadi, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Chairperson for Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Mysuru, explained that Karnataka is changing fast but has not completely changed as yet.

The state’s politics has been dominated by caste identities as Lingayats and Vokkaligas vying for power, but never by Hindutva. The minorities played a major role as the society was quite tolerant. “Ours has been a cohesive society. We never had memories of partition of the country, pillage or destruction. The history of Karnataka is different. Communal politics is just 30 years old here,” he said.

But the caste identity is being changed to Hindutva now. At Kalikamba Temple at Kapu, where Muslim merchants are banned, musicians from a family belonging to the minority community played music during a religious fair. In many temples, morning and evening drum beats are performed by Muslims. The interdependency is still strong but at the same time the rhetoric of communal strife has surfaced, he explained.

Post-World War II, memories of Germany and Japan’s fascism were slowly erased. In India also the memories of partition are fading? “I am hopeful that the state will go through wilful amnesia regarding communal strife and rebuild the country and the state on fresh memories,” Assadi maintained.

ALSO READ-Karnataka cabinet expansion soon: CM Bommai

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Rape even by husband is rape: Karnataka HC

The Constitutionality of the marital rape exception is currently under challenge before the Delhi and Gujarat High Courts…reports Asian Lite News

In a ruling that could help shape the debate on marital rape, the Karnataka High Court Wednesday refused to quash rape charges filed by a wife against her husband, defying the exception in law, and, instead, called on lawmakers to hear the “voices of silence.”

“A man is a man; an act is an act; rape is a rape, be it performed by a man the ‘husband’ on the woman ‘wife’,” a single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court said. The “age-old…regressive” thought that “husbands are the rulers of their wives, their body, mind and soul should be effaced,” the court said.

While the court did not explicitly strike down the marital rape exception, it forced the married man to face trial for rape charges brought by his wife. The husband had moved the High Court after a trial court took cognisance of the offence under Section 376 (rape).

IPC Section 375 that defines rape carries a crucial exemption: “Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.”

In 2018, a similar case was brought before the Gujarat High Court in which a married man sought quashing of the rape case against him filed by his wife. Although the HC quashed the FIR to remove the rape charges, it gave a lengthy reasoning on the need to criminalise marital rape.

The Constitutionality of the marital rape exception is currently under challenge before the Delhi and Gujarat High Courts.

The “institution of marriage does not confer, cannot confer and in my considered view, should not be construed to confer, any special male privilege or a license for unleashing of a brutal beast. If it is punishable to a man, it should be punishable to a man albeit, the man being a husband,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.

“A brutal act of sexual assault on the wife, against her consent, albeit by the husband, cannot but be termed to be a rape. Such sexual assault by a husband on his wife will have grave consequences on the mental sheet of the wife, it has both psychological and physiological impact on her. Such acts of husbands scar the soul of the wives. It is, therefore, imperative for the lawmakers to now hear the voices of silence,” the court said.

This ruling came in the course of a judgment on a petition filed in 2018 by a 43-year-old man for dropping of charges of rape and sexual assault on a child brought against him by police in Bengaluru on the basis of a complaint filed by his wife in March 2017 after a marriage of 11 years.

ALSO READ-Rules bar non-Hindu traders near temples: Karnataka minister

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Bengaluru to evolve as major defence hub: Bommai

Bengaluru would evolve as a major hub of defence research and production, meeting the defence needs of not only India but of its friendly nations too, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News



Participating in a function to inaugurate the Flight Control System (FCS) Complex of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) here, he said that Bengaluru is home to over 180 R&D institutions of international level, and has highly competent and skilled manpower.

Apart from a defence hub and industrial hub, a semiconductor hub too would come up in Bengaluru, Bommai said and appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for all the support from the Union government and Defence Ministry to develop the defence hub which could meet not only defence needs of India, but of its friendly nations too.

“The nation is safe under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Major developments are happening in the world and the world is looking up to India’s guidance. It is because of our strength in the defence sector. The research and innovations of DRDO would make the country stronger,” he said.

Lauding Rajnath Singh, Bommai said: “He will never compromise with anything related to the interests of India. Such a commitment is needed for a big country like India.”

Defence Minister has inaugurated the seven-storey building constructed by DRDO in record 45 days in Bengaluru, and said that earlier, Ministers could only lay the foundation stone for the projects, but could never get the opportunity to inaugurate it.

“There was a time when the minister who lay the foundation of a building could never inaugurate it because it was not possible, but today it is possible,” Singh said.

DRDO has built a seven-storey Flight Control System Integration complex in record 45 days which would be used as the Research and Development facility for the indigenous development of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in Bengaluru.

DRDO Chief G Satheesh Reddy were also present at the inauguration.

Singh said it is a unique project not just in the country but in the entire world and is an embodiment of the new energy of New India.

“This energy is of technology, commitment, institutional collaboration among public sector, private sector and academia and above all of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said, exuding confidence that the facility will go a long way in bolstering national security.

“The complex will also provide simulator training to the pilots of combat aircraft. Rajnath Singh described it as one of the most important components of the complex. The simulators provide an opportunity to learn by making mistakes without the possibility of any kinds of losses,” he stated.

ALSO READ: India Global Forum: ‘The New India Inc’ to be hosted in Bengaluru

During the interaction session with DRDO office bearers, he expressed hope that although the mandate of DRDO is to develop futuristic technologies, its spin-off benefits will be available to the civilian sector as well.

“Our traditional construction industry is generally considered to be labour intensive, high risk and low on productivity. But, the way DRDO has constructed the FCS complex through hybrid technology, our infrastructure projects will be completed in a low cost and time-bound manner in the times to come,” he said.

Rajnath Singh called upon DRDO to continue exploring new possibilities in construction technology and contribute to nation-building through new innovations. (with inputs from IANS/ANI)

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Pro-Hijab graffiti surfaces in Karnataka

The police department has beefed security in Malpe in the wake of the incident, reports Asian Lite News

A tense situation prevailed on Friday in the coastal town of Malpe in Karnataka’s Udupi district after graffiti against the hijab verdict surfaced on the wall of a building.

The police department has beefed security in Malpe in the wake of the incident.

The graffiti on the wall of the unauthorised building in Malpe Bailakere locality reads “hijab is our right” and “hijab movement”.

As soon as the news of the graffiti came to light, hundreds of Hindu activists gathered on the spot on Thursday evening.

The activits condemned the act for questioning the judgement of the special bench of the Karnataka High Court, which had dismissed the petitions demanding the right of hijab in the classrooms.

The petitioners have approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order.

Meanwhile, Muslim organisations had given a state-wide bundh call against the verdict on hijab on Thursday.

ALSO READ: SC seeks time to hear hijab appeal

As hundreds of Hindu activists gathered near the building, the local Malpe police rushed to the spot.

Police Inspector Sharan Basava Patil spoke to the agitators who demanded the arrest of miscreants who questioned the high court judgment.

The hijab row which started as the protest by six students of Pre-University Girl’s College in Udupi has turned into a major crisis and it is being discussed at the international levels.

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Hijab verdict: Karnataka on alert

The police have beefed up security and everyone should accept the verdict. If anyone takes law and order into their hands they will be dealt with sternly, warned K’taka CM…reports Asian Lite News

After the Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions by Muslim girls seeking permission to wear hijab in educational institutions, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that stern action will be initiated against those who disturb peace in the state.

Upholding the government order, the court has stated that hijab is not an essential part of Islam. “This is the question of our children and it is also the question of their future ” he said.

There is nothing more important than education for the children. The judgment of three-judge bench must be followed by all. When the verdict is implemented, the people must cooperate with the authorities, he said.

“I appeal to all parents, community leaders to abide by the court orders and allow children to get education. It should be seen to it that no one remains outside and students must now focus on building their future,” he explained.

The police have beefed up security and everyone should accept the verdict. If anyone takes law and order into their hands they will be dealt with sternly, he warned. The High Court has settled the matter now, he said.

A special bench of the Karnataka High Court constituted to look into the hijab issue dismissed all the petitions this morning and upheld the rights of the government to prescribe the uniforms for schools and colleges.

ALSO READ: Hijab ban stays, says K’taka High Court

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Hijab ban stays, says K’taka High Court

A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February…reports Asian Lite News

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions and said that wearing Hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam.

A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February 5.

The Hijab row had erupted in January this year when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls sat in protest sat outside college over being denied entry.

After this, boys of several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.

As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decides on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious attire will be allowed in colleges.

The order stated that in case a uniform is not prescribed by management committees, then students should wear dresses that go well with the idea of equality and unity, and does not disturb the social order.

A batch of petitions was filed against the government’s rule in the Karnataka High Court by some girls seeking permission to wear the hijab in educational institutions.

A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi heard the petitions challenging the government rule on dress code.

On February 10, the high court issued an interim order stating that said students should not wear any religious attire to classes till the court issues the final order. The hearings related to the Hijab case were concluded on February 25 and the court had reserved its judgement. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Hijab row: Bengaluru Police extend prohibitory orders till March 22