Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Justin D'Silva/Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi (SP/JD/MS)
Mangaluru/Udupi, Mar 17: Muslim organizations in the state have called for a day's state-wide bandh on Thursday March 17 in protest against the verdict delivered by the state high court in Hijab case.
The organizations, which had fully supported the students who went to the high court against the insistence of the educational institutions which had barred the students with Hijabs from attending schools and colleges. The organizations are peeved over the high court order that mentions that the Holy Quran does not have mention about the wearing of the Hijabs.
Mangaluru
Udupi
Kundapur
The Union of Muslim organizations has called upon the Muslim businessmen to close down their business on Thursday. It also asked people not to come out of their houses, to close down their shops and other establishments, not to organize rallies or protest meetings and to register only peaceful protest.
The policy department has taken steps to deploy its personnel at strategic places in order to handle any untoward incidents. In the meantime, the State Bank and central market areas in the city which usually is abuzz with activities from early morning, are wearing a deserted look. Movement of vehicles has been very limited and only a handful of buses are moving.
Udupi
Partial response in Udupi is being observed for the state wide Bandh call given by Muslim organizations as protest against the recent High Court verdict on Hijab. Only some traders owning shops near the city bus stand have downed their shutters and expressed their support. Mainly those owning footwear business have closed their shops.
However, some shops owned by Muslims are open and functioning as usual. Some Muslim owners of shops are confused whether they should close the shops or not. Heavy police presence is seen near the shops owned by Muslims.
Kundapur
The bandh call given all over Karnataka by various Muslim organizations in protest against the high court verdict on wearing of the Hijabs, received good response in Kundapur and Byndoor taluks. Mutton and chicken stalls, fruit stalls, footwear stores, jewellery stores etc which are predominantly run by Muslims were closed down. In Kundapur town too, shops run by Muslims downed their shutters since morning. The merchants voluntarily closed their shops. In Gangolli where most of the businessmen are Muslims, all the shops were closed.