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Bengaluru, Dec 1 (IANS): Ruling BJP in Karnataka took a U-turn on Thursday after its decision to build 10 new colleges exclusively for Muslim girls triggered controversy in the state. 

When asked about the row, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarified on Thursday that the matter has not been discussed at all in the government levels. "These might be personal views of the Chairperson Shafi Saadi of Karnataka State Board for Wakf," he said. 

This is not the stand of the government to open schools for Muslim girls. The Wakf Board Chairperson should discuss the matter with the government, he said. 

Earlier, the news appeared in media that the ruling government is planning to build 10 new colleges exclusively for Muslim girls, sparking a huge controversy in Karnataka. 

Hindu organisations had warned state-wide protests and challenged the government that they would not allow the colleges to be built. 

After Bommai's reaction on the issue, Maulana Shafi Saadi, Chairperson of Wakf Board, stated that he never stated that exclusive colleges for Muslim women would be opened. 

"I spoke about opening colleges for women. I had stated that our board has Rs 25 crore fund. We will grant Rs 2.5 crore for each college and they will be started in 10 districts and this matter has been discussed with the minister," he explained. 

"My full statement is not being published by the media. My statement has been twisted. Wakf board is running 112 education institutions as per the norms of the government," he said. 

There is no connection with the hijab crisis and proposed colleges and they will also function as per guidelines. The project is in line with the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' slogan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he maintained. 

Earlier, the development had created furore in the state. Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samithi leader Mohan Gowda had warned that if colleges for Muslim girls are coming up exclusively, then, Hindu colleges, varsities should also be built. 

Sri Rama Sena founder Pramod Muthalik had challenged the ruling BJP that building of exclusive colleges for Muslim girls would not be allowed in Karnataka. State-wide protests would be launched, he added. 

However, Minister for Muzrai and Wakf, Shashikala Jolle clarified that she had not given any assurance to open exclusive colleges for Muslim girls. Wakf board runs many educational institutions in coordination with organisations. 

Updated

Controversy erupts in Karnataka over decision to build colleges for Muslim girls

Bengaluru, Dec 1 (IANS): A controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the state's ruling BJP government's decision to build 10 new colleges exclusively for Muslim girls, with Hindu organisations warning of widespread protests. 

The government is however moving ahead with its decision and has allotted a Rs 2.50-crore grant, sources said, adding that that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is all set to lay down the foundation stone for the colleges this month.

The colleges are going to be built in the Malnad and north Karnataka regions initially, and will expand later, the sources added. 

Maulana Shafi Saadi, Chairperson of the Karnataka Wakf Board, said that the proposal for the exclusive colleges was made by the Board and the decision was taken after large number of Muslim girls have opted to stay at home since wearing of hijab is not allowed in college premises. 

"The proposal was made to the Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani. The delegation was led by Karnataka Minister for Muzrai Shashikala Jolle and Kalaburagi MP Umesh Jadhav," he said. 

"The state government has consented to the proposal. I thank Minister Shashikala Jolle who took lead like a sister to ensure, Muslim girls are educated." 

However, the development has created a furore in the state. 

Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samithi leader Mohan Gowda said that if colleges are being built Muslim girls, then Hindu educational institutes should also come up. 

Maintaining that the decision is against the principles of secularism and the constitution, Gowda warned that "if the government does not revert it, protests would be launched". 

Sri Rama Sena founder Pramod Muthalik has challenged that ruling state government against building the colleges, saying it won't be allowed in the state. 

"We never thought BJP would indulge in appeasement of Muslims ahead of the Assembly elections. This is a divisive rule and the colleges are opened in the backdrop of the hijab crisis. This would make students develop a divisive mindset," he explained.

Earlier report

Mangaluru: Govt intends to establish 10 colleges for Muslim girls in Karnataka

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 1: The state government is going to establish 10 separate colleges for Muslim girls only. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai is going to lay the foundation stone for this project.

A decision in this regard was taken three months ago in the state Wakf board. The government approved the proposal one and half months ago. Each college will get a grant of Rs 2.5 crore. It is decided to bear the expenses from the grant that is given to Wakf board.

After the Hijab controversy erupted in Udupi government and later the court prohibited Muslim girls from wearing Hijab to the classrooms, most of the Muslim organizations opposed the decision of the government. Now the government has taken the initiative as the elections are nearing to establish separate colleges for Muslim girls. This has raised eye brows of pro-Hindu organizations.

In the district of Dakshina Kannada, 16 acres of land is identified for Muslim women college at Adyar. Colleges will also begin in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, North Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka, where Muslims are in large numbers.

The colleges will be constructed on the property held by Wakf throughout the state. The colleges are expected to function from 2024-25. In the beginning first PU classes will be introduced and later on classes till degree education will be opened in phases.

After the Hijab controversy around 8000 Muslim girls were deprived from education or joined colleges run by Muslims, where Hijab is allowed inside classrooms. After this development, from Dakshina Kannada district alone, 13 applications are submitted by Muslim educational organizations to establish colleges and out of this two are already sanctioned. In the next year, many more are going to get approved. In the midst of this, the new and unexpected decision of the government has attracted the attention of the public.

Nasir Luckystar, president of Dakshina Kannada Wakf advisory committee, says, “There is opportunity to establish colleges for our community children in the property owned by Wakf. These colleges are established to provide education to Muslim girls of financially poor families who cannot afford the exorbitant fee of private colleges. If separate government college is there more girl students will come for education.”

Dharmendra, state chief secretary of Hindu Maha Sabha says, “The BJP, which attained power on the basis of Hindutva is deceiving dedicated Hindu workers by wearing the secular face mask. The BJP government is following double policy as they are appeasing Muslims now. BJP government always supported Hindutva right from the beginning. This party and its leaders are detrimental to Hindu religion in future.”