Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 16: On a day when colleges in the state reopened after being shut for over a week amidst the Hijab versus saffron shawl issue, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) alleged that the whole issue was a 'criminal activity sponsored by the BJP government.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday February 16, SDPI state general secretary B R Bhaskar Prasad said, "The Constitution never barred Muslims from wearing Hijab. The issue was created by a college principal, and then it was taken forward by the Sangh Parivar. This issue is a BJP sponsored criminal activity and is on their agenda.

"If Hijab is not allowed as a religious symbol, then what about Hindus wearing thread and 'nama', and images of Saraswathi, Ganesha potrayed in schools? I dare the Sangh Parivar to remove the turban of Sikhs that they wear in every field," Prasad challenged.

He also criticised the Congress saying that the party has been showing 'double standards' over the issue.

SDPI state president Abdul Majeed said, "The high court's interim order is limited to institutions where the college development committees have prescribed dress code. District administrations and the education department should understand the high court order and stop creating confusion. We urge the education department and the home ministry to follow the orders of the court.

"We condemn the incident where a student was chased by a journalist, and also condemn the way students and teachers are forced to remove Hijab before entering the school premises," he said.

Commenting on remarks made Congress leaders on the issue, he said, "Congress leaders need to clear their party's stand on the Hijab row. Congress needs minority votes, but it does not want to address the community's problems. KPCC president D K Shivakumar urged the party leaders not to speak on the Hijab row, and no notice has been served to the Youth Congress leader who spoke against Hijab. They are confused whether to speak about Hijab in the assembly or not.

"D K Shivakumar has adopted soft Hindutva policy, and thereby dug his own grave," he added.

"If the education department fails to follow high court's orders then we will file a contempt of court case on everyone who violate the interim order," he said.

He also urged the opposition parties including JD(S) to raise voice and clear their stand on the Hijab row.

When asked about BJP's allegation that SDPI was instigating students, Abdul Majeed said, "SDPI has not come to a state where we would play with students' lives for the sake of votes."

SDPI state secretary Ashraf Machar, district general secretary Anwar Sadath, and corporator Muneeb Bengre were present.