Hijab ban: Karnataka schools to reopen from Monday

Hubballi, Karnataka: Amid the hijab row, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday warned trouble makers of legal action as schools up to class 10 are reopening from Monday.

Bommai was speaking to reporters in Hubballi.

“Our officers are observing messages that are put out on social media. They are also collecting information on their own. My first duty now is to see that schools and colleges are opened as early as possible and to create a cordial atmosphere for peaceful learning. The students must focus on examinations scheduled in March. Other things would be taken care of by investigative agencies,” he said.

Bommai said, high schools are reopening from tomorrow (Monday) in the state. District Commissioners and school managements have been told to conduct peace meetings and classes will be held peacefully, he said.

A decision will be taken on reopening of colleges soon after ensuring all preparations are being made. “Colleges will function like before in a cordial atmosphere. Reopening schools and colleges is our first priority. I have sought a report from the Education Minister. Based on that, a decision would be taken,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Sunday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the Hijab row in Karnataka, saying that the controversy has been created deliberately, adding that the country needs to think about its priorities.

“Is Hijab really the priority of this country? Sticks are being used against the unemployed, unemployment is at its peak in five decades and in Hunger Index, we are at 101st position out of 116 countries. Where are we taking this country? This controversy has been created deliberately. We need to think about our priorities. We have been failing as a nation in many aspects. Everyone must be collectively concerned about these things,” said Jha to ANI.

He said, “We should follow the Constitution in letter and spirit and Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion) should be honoured. I have taught in universities and girl students used to wear hijab. And what should I do, throw them out? I can’t.”

Reacting to Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s remarks that Hijab is not essential for Islam, he said that Khan has some compulsions and he needs to bat for his party. Khan is a BJP member.

Amid the ongoing hijab controversy, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday said that the hijab is not an essential part of Islam in the manner say a turban was to the Sikh religion and that controversy around it was part of a “conspiracy” to prevent Muslim girls from progressing.