In a bid to put an end to the simmering hijab (head scarf) controversy in Karnataka, the state government Saturday directed banning clothes “which disturb equality, integrity and public order” in schools and colleges.
The government has invoked 133 (2) of the Karnataka Education Act-1983, which states that a uniform style of clothes has to be worn compulsorily.
“The private school administration can choose a uniform of their choice,” the government order said.
The order stated that students have to wear the dress chosen by the College Development Committee or the appellate committee of the administrative board of the pre-university colleges, which come under the pre-university education department.
“In the event of administrative committee not selecting a uniform, clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order should not be worn,” the order added.
The latest development came in the backdrop of the hijab controversy taking political colour. The issue initially began as a protest by a few Muslim girls in a government pre-university college in Udupi for their right to wear hijab to class. However, in a matter of days, it spilled over to other colleges in the state.
Earlier this week, in Kundapur, also in Udupi district, a few boys studying at a government pre-university college, presumably Hindus, came to the campus wearing saffron shawls and asked Muslim students to remove their hijab.
Last month, the state Education Department had said that it will constitute a committee to formulate guidelines on uniforms at PU colleges across the state.
Meawhile the Congress leaders have backed hijab, while the BJP said it will not allow ‘Talibanisation’ of educational institutions.
Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy slammed the BJP government over the hijab ban in some colleges in Karnataka saying that keeping Muslim girls away from colleges for wearing hijab is a contradiction of the Union government’s “Beti padao, Beti bachao” policy. He added that such a move would amount to a “Beti Hatao”policy.
Source: The Indian Express