Hijab Row: Bahutva Karnataka demands protection of Muslim women's right to education

NEW DELHI: Bahutva Karnataka, a forum for justice, harmony and solidarity accused Hindutva organisations of the communal violence related to the Karnatak hijab row. It condemned the incidents as an Islamophobic attack on Muslim women and an attempt to radicalise students from marginalised communities. The civil rights organisation demanded the withdrawal of the government order enforcing uniform restrictions and the right of education for Muslim students.

In a statement released by Bahutva Karnataka, the civil rights organisation demanded the entry of students to the campuses, protection of Muslim students who are targetted, and also the protection of their right to education. It urged the government to withdraw the order released to ban the hijab and to take action against those spreading hate among Dalit Bahujan Adivasi students.

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Bahutva Karnataka claims that the perpetrators of violence are Hindutva organisations such as Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Sriram Sene and Sri Ram Sene Hindustan which are known to have allegiance to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“Sangh Parivar leaders have been caught on camera distributing saffron shawls and telling students not to worry about what the authorities will say and to wear saffron shawls, thus leading to disturbances. It is clear that there is an attempt being made by Sangh Parivar to radicalize poor youth from Dalit, Bahujan communities who attend Government colleges. These youth who have historically been denied education are now being radicalized and are being used by the Sangh to spread their communal poison. The result of the Sangh Parivar's actions will result in the jeopardizing of the future of Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi and Minority communities,” said the statement.

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During a press meet addressed by members of the Bahutva Karnataka forum, Arvind Narrain, advocate and president of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties Karnataka said that not allowing girls to enter college because they wore hijab was illegal. He also said that the order given by the Karnataka government banning hijab was unconstitutional.

Mavalli Shankar, state convenor of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti - Ambedkar Vaadha questioned the government's inaction against the perpetrators of violence. Mohammed Yusuf Kanni vice-president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Karnataka said that the government is supposed to protect the fundamental rights of everyone, including the minorities. He further said that the present crisis would make Muslim women more vulnerable, and said that government should address the socio-economic backwardness of Muslims.

Bahutva Karnataka has also organised a candle-light vigil at Maurya Circle on February 12 evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

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