Karnataka Hijab Row: Students made to sit in separate classroom; 2 carrying lethal weapon arrested

NEW DELHI: Students wearing Hijab were allowed entry into the campus of Government PU College, Kundapura today, however, they were made to sit in a separate classroom. With the assembly elections just a year away, the 'hijab' row has taken political colour in Karnataka.

The Karnataka government on February 5 ordered banning wearing clothes that disturb equality, integrity and public order. "Invoking 133 (2) of the Karnataka Education Act-1983, which says 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.

ST Siddalingappa, Additional SP, Udupi, told ANI, “The situation is under control in Kundapura and students are being allowed to come to the colleges and allowed into the campus by wearing Hijab. There is no law and order situation in Kundapur.”

Also read | JNU gets first woman Vice Chancellor - Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit

Earlier today, the Karnataka police arrested two people arrested carrying ‘lethal weapons’ near the Government PU College in Kundapur; three others managed to flee, according to the report. Both accused hail from Gangolli, a village near Kundapur.

Meanwhile, Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura suspended classes for today after some students arrived on the campus, wearing saffron stoles.

Initially, the controversy was restricted to Udupi and Chikkamagaluru in the beginning of January as the girls started wearing hijab to class. In protest, the boys wore saffron scarves. Gradually, the issue spread to other parts of the state and snowballed into a major controversy with political parties taking mileage out of it.

The Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college on February 8.