Hijab row: K’taka Home Minister says don’t give opportunity to use police force

PTI, Feb 8, 2022, 2:32 PM IST

As protests for and against the ‘hijab’ intensified at colleges in different parts of Karnataka, state’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Tuesday while appealing for peace said no one should give an opportunity to use the police force.

The Home Minister’s warning came as tension prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.

The Karnataka High Court is today hearing the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college.

”You (students) are all educated, you have to think about your future. After two years of COVID-19, this year classes have been conducted in a good way. This is the time for you to prepare for your exams that are coming up in a couple of months,” Jnanendra said.

Noting that religious forces behind such incidents have to be quelled and everyone should think about the country, the Minister in a video statement said, ”we should all stand together as brothers, as the children of this country. Uniform is a sign of equality. Educational institutions are not the place for practicing our religion or to showcase our costumes.” ”Everyone should maintain peace. Don’t give an opportunity to use the police force. I appeal to parents to guide their children and let’s all work towards colleges functioning in a peaceful manner,” he added.