The Karnataka government has announced a closure of high schools and colleges across the state for three days as the Hijab row took a violent turn on Tuesday.
In various parts of Karnataka, students battling pro and against the Hijab and saffron shawls issue took to the streets in large numbers, only to be disbursed by the police later. Lathi charge, stone pelting and shouting ensued in front of several colleges in the state, forcing college managements to declare a holiday.
All this happens even as the Karnataka High Court is hearing three petitions filed in this regard and is anticipated to deliver a judgment in this regard.
After having commenced the hearing, the court has further pushed the matter to be heard on Wednesday.
Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is currently in New Delhi, holding a series of meetings with Union ministers regarding Karnataka’s overall progress addressed the media and requested students to remain calm and peaceful until the High Court delivers its decision on the matter.
Later in a tweet, Bommai said, “I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges for the next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate.”
“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of karnataka to maintain peace and harmony.I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate” : CM @BSBommai
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) February 8, 2022
Meanwhile, BC Nagesh, primary and secondary education minister, also urged students to stay at home and not indulge in violence or communal activities. “One of the six protesting girls has come back to college and said that national integrity matters more than religion for her. I request all students to maintain calm and await the high court order,” he reiterated.
The educational institutions in Karnataka have just reopened less than a fortnight ago, only to be closed. In a college in Shivamogga, protesters also brought down the National Flag and replaced it with a saffron one. Responding to this, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, DK Shivakumar responded, “The situation in some Karnataka educational institutions has gone so out of hand that in one case the National flag was replaced by a saffron flag. I think the affected institutions should be closed for a week to restore law and order. Teaching can continue online.”
Also read: Karnataka hijab row: Lathi charge, stone pelting & slogan shouting
Posted in News, States
