The Hijab row intensified in Karnataka after shops remained shut in several parts of the state as Muslim organisations called for a bandh. The Ameer-E-Shariat Karnataka’s Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi had on Wednesday called for a peaceful state-wide bandh on Thursday across Karnataka.
In Vijayanagara, incidents of grafiti being painted on the walls were also reported. Across Vijayanagara, anonymous protesters painted sayings such as “Hijab is our right” on walls of public places, which the municipality had to repaint with plain paint later.
Meanwhile, when the situation remained largely peaceful across Bengaluru, areas around Shivajinagar wore a deserted look with shops remaining shut around the area with locals supporting a call for Karnataka bandh.
Leaders of the congress party, who met regarding the issue on Thursday said that the party would take a neutral stand on the issue and abide by the high court order regarding Hijab ban.
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court delivered a judgement after hearing petitions filed in the Hijab row. Some students of the Muslim community sought that they be allowed to wear Hijab to classrooms, which the state government contended was violation of uniform.
The advocate general representing the state had argued that it was not essential religious practice. The full bench of the Karnataka High Court which heard the matter declared that Hijab was not essential Islamic practice and that the state government’s order on prescription of uniform does not amount to violation of fundamental rights.
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