Hijab row: Karnataka HC to deliver verdict tomorrow, all gatherings banned in Bengaluru

The Karnataka high court will pronounce its judgment in the hijab controversy that had led to massive violence in the southern state last month.

Soon after, the administration banned all types of gatherings, agitations in state capital Bengaluru for a week till March 21. Bengaluru commissioner of police said, “All types of gatherings, agitations, protests, or celebrations in public places are prohibited in Bengaluru for one week from March 15 to March 21.”

The row had erupted after educational institutions ordered a ban on wearing of hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim girls/women, on premises of educational institutions.

The court had reserved its verdict after hearing a bunch of petitions filed by some Muslim girls against the government order. The girls argued that wearing of hijab was part of their religious and cultural practice.

In Udupi district, where the controversy had first erupted, all schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday, said district magistrate Kurma Rao M.

Educational institutions will remain shut in Shivamogga too. The district’s SP, BM Laxmi Prasad, said Section 144 under CrPC has been imposed in the district till March 21. “Eight companies of KSRP, six companies of the District Armed Reserve, and one company of RAF deployed,” the SP said.

A full bench of the high court, comprising chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, justice Krishna Dixit, and justice JM Khazi, head heard the case for about two weeks.

The BJP-led Karnataka government had ordered closure of schools for a few days as violence between supporters of the hijab and right wing outfits intensified across the state over the issue.

The protests in Karnataka began earlier this year when some students of Government Girls’ PU college in Udupi district alleged they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab.

Soon after, boys affiliated with right wing outfits started attending classes in saffron scarves.

With the row intensifying, the court asked students to stay away from any kind of religious attire till a verdict is passed on the matter.

The pre-university education board had released a circular stating that students can wear only the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious attire will be allowed in colleges.