From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 15: A visibly relieved and pleased Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has warmly welcomed the decision of a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi of Karnataka High Court upholding the State Government’s order banning the wearing of hijab or headscarves by Muslim students in the State’s schools and colleges and dismissing the petitions against the order on the ground that hijab was not an ‘essential’ part of Islam.
It may be recalled that a controversy erupted in coastal Udupi district in January this year with the school authorities preventing entry of Muslim girl students to enter the educational institution wearing hijab inside classrooms and the issue flared up after Hindu students protested and insisted on wearing saffron shawls inside classrooms if the Muslim girls were allowed to wear hijabs. The controversy spread to Kundapur and other parts of Karnataka and the issue went up to the High Court with a flurry of petitions challenging the government’s order banning hijabs in educational institutions.
The issue was taken up a three judge bench, which also had Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi, and the bench had reserved its decision on February 25 after prolonged hearing from both sides. The judgement was delivered on Tuesday. The State Government had declared a holiday to schools and colleges across the State on Tuesday as soon as it was learnt that the judgement would be delivered today and the authorities imposing prohibitory orders to prevent any untoward incidents.
The Chief Minister, in his reaction to the verdict, welcomed the High Court’s decision and appealed to all sections of people to accept the verdict in the interest of education of the students, especially after the court decision that hijab was not an essential part of Islam.
“This is a question of our children’s future and education and not of pitting one religion against another. Education is most important to the children as it is a question of their future too. All of us must obey the three-judge High Court order and cooperate with the government in maintaining law and order situation. Let us preserve peace in our educational institutions and in the society at large,’’ he said appealing the all leaders of communities, students, parents, teachers and managements of educational institutions to follow the High Court order.
Bommai urged all students to continue their studies and not to abstain from examinations or attending their classes.
The Chief Minister warned that anybody violating the High Court verdict and the government’s order on the uniform would be dealt with sternly. Nobody flouting the rules and laws will be spared, he declared.
Education Minister BC Nagesh, Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan and Health and Medical Education Minister have in separate statements welcomed the State High Court’s decision on the hijab issue and appealed to the students to attend to their classes and examinations.
The Chief Minister, in the morning, extended his birthday greetings to State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, who is celebrating his 69th birthday on Tuesday.