New Delhi: In the latest episode of the controversy that has been rocking Karnataka, a college student in hijab was harassed by a group of males wearing saffron scarves and shouting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ on February 8, Tuesday, in Mandya.
A video on social media shows the hijab-clad student walking towards the classroom from the parking spot, following which a group of males begin waving saffron scarves at her while chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The hijab-clad girl raised her hand in response to the sloganeering directed at her by the boys and says, “Allahu Akbar”.
A lone Muslim girl on the way to her college in Karnataka, India is being heckled and harassed by a Hindu right-wing mob for wearing a hijab! pic.twitter.com/DiVjCbqpdW
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) February 8, 2022
The incident took place in PES College of Arts, Science and Commerce situated on Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, according to The Hindu.
Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) Praveen Madhukar Pawar told the daily that the incident in Mandya was part of the controversy that is gripping the rest of Karnataka, and denied that there was any tension in the college. He also added that the police will ensure that there is no threat to peace.
Protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hassan, Kolar, Shahapur, Shivamogga and Udupi.
The Karnataka high court appealed to students and people to “maintain peace and tranquility” as the controversy over wearing hijab and saffron scarves escalated in parts of the state.
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The court was hearing petitions filed by some students of Government Pre-University College for Girls, Udupi, seeking a declaration that they have a fundamental right to practice essential religious practices, including wearing of hijab as per Islamic faith, on the college premises.
“This court requests the students and the public to maintain peace and tranquility. This court has full faith in the wisdom and virtue of public at large and hopes that the same would be put to practice,” the single bench of Justice Krishna S. Dixit said.
Justice Dixit further observed that only some mischievous people were keeping the issue burning, and pointed out that agitations, sloganeering and students attacking each other were not good.
The hearing will be resumed on February 9, Wednesday.
Meanwhile, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai declared a holiday to high schools and colleges in the state for the next three days.
“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate,” Bommai said in a tweet.
I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) February 8, 2022
(With inputs from PTI)