(Image source from: newscrab.com)

Six students were banned to enter into a Karnataka college in Udipi district last month for wearing a hijab. The news triggered protests and several Hindu unions and Muslim unions indulged into fights yesterday. Before the situation is out of control, the government of Karnataka closed the schools and colleges for three days. There are debates that the educational institutions can impose a dress code. The issue also threw up the legal questions about the freedom of religion. Wearing a hijab is never prohibited as per the constitution. Four youngsters who were wearing saffron shawls in the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s home district of Haveri have been arrested.

They manhandled the cops and the incident took place in Hirekerur First Grade College. The High Court of Karnataka will continue to hear the petitions on the hijab row today. The hearing will resume at 2:30 PM today. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that it is the woman who can decide about wearing a jeans or a bikini or hijab. Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said strict action will be taken who are keen to interrupt the peace in the society. All the schools and colleges are closed in the state after the instructions from the government of Karnataka. CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem wrote to the Education Minister Dharmendra Padhan and requested for the urgent intervention into the incidents that took place in the state.

By Siva Kumar