From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 26: With several Muslim students not appearing for their examinations at not being allowed to wear Hijab in schools and colleges, KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar has sought to strike a balance by advocating parents and teachers to be flexible and not rigid in their positions and ensure that the education and future of students was more important.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said the parents, teachers and the government must be more concerned over the future and education of the students rather than adopt a rigid stand on the hijab issue and should never ensure that their future was harmed.

The teachers must sit and talk to students and parents and convince them not to be too rigid on the hijab issue. The judgement of the three-judge bench of the High Court must be accepted even if some sections are not happy about it. The matter is now before the Supreme Court, which may reverse the judgement, he said and declined to assert the High Court judgement was wrong.

Asked about Congress opposition leader Siddaramaiah’s statement that students should be allowed to wear hijabs of the colour of uniforms, Shivakumar merely said what is said in the Constitution must be honoured by all.

To a question on Swamijis covering their heads with saffron scarves as stated by Siddaramaiah, the KPCC Chief said the former Chief Minister has already clarified his position and said the students could be allowed to wear the hijabs of the colour of hijabs. “He has immense respect to Swamijis and all religious leaders and his government has helped several religious mutts. He is quite capable of explaining his position,’’ he said refusing to speak further.

“Let us sit together and try to solve the issue instead of harming the students and their future by adopting rigid positions. It is the responsibility of the government, parents and teachers to convince the students,’’ he said.