Karnataka: Hijab protests flare up at several schools; PU colleges reopen today

BENGALURU: Karnataka witnessed protests by Muslim girl students and some parents in about 50 government high schools in different parts of the state. They wanted to be allowed to attend classes wearing hijabs.
High schools reopened across the state on Monday and there were few protests on the first day. The state government has stepped up police security as pre-university colleges, shut due to violent protests last week over wearing of hijab inside classrooms, will open on Wednesday.
Thirteen girls boycotted SSLC preparatory examination on Monday for not being allowed to wear the hijab and enter classrooms, and the number increased to around 500 students on Tuesday.
Over 160 students boycotted classes in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts alone where Muslim girls study in large numbers. "We have grown up wearing the hijab since our childhood and we cannot give it up. I won't write the exam. I will go home," a hijab-wearing girl told the teacher when they asked her to remove her headscarf.
Several videos of angry parents arguing with school authorities and police over alleged denial of entry to classrooms wearing hijab went viral. This was reported in several government schools.
One student tried to flaunt a saffron scarf in Chikkamagaluru, but it was nipped in the bud by a teacher and the principal closed the school for the day.
Some students were asked to sit in a separate room as they refused to take the exam without wearing scarves in schools in Shivamogga and Udupi towns.
The Karnataka high court, in its interim order last week, restrained students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves and hijabs in classrooms.
The government on Tuesday asserted it was committed to implementing the court's interim order. This was in response to the issue raised by Congress MLA and its deputy leader in the legislative assembly UT Khader during the zero hour. He expressed concern over "confusion and interpretation" of the court order during its implementation on the ground.
"I want to assure that the government is committed to implementing the court order," law and parliamentary affairs minister J C Madhuswamy said.
Khader said: "When the court order pertains to the colleges, it is being implemented in schools, even at the primary school level, thereby creating confusion." He added that, while the order is regarding students' dress code, it is being wrongly interpreted and even teachers and staff are not being permitted to wear headscarf.
Appeal for peace
"I'm appealing to all students, parents, and the public to maintain peace. I request all not to raise slogans, criticise or comment. Outsiders will not be allowed into campuses. College principals and staff have been asked to take all precautionary measures," said CN Ashwath Narayan, higher education minister.