Hijab Row: Waiting for HC judgment, will then announce SOPs in this regard, Karnataka Minister

The government is waiting for the High Court judgment and once it is released, the SOPs in this regard will be issued, Karnataka Minister of Primary and Secondary Education BC Nagesh said.

Amid the ongoing hijab crisis, the Karnataka government reopened pre-university, degree and diploma colleges today under tight security arrangements. It must be noted that the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the state were closed due to the ongoing hijab crisis in the different campuses. Though many students attended the class, some of them who refused to take off their hijab were sent back home. 

Karnataka Minister of Primary and Secondary Education BC Nagesh today told ANI that "I am happy that all schools are running properly and almost all the students have attended the classes, while only in 2-3 schools the girls went back. The government is waiting for the High Court judgment and once it is released, the SOPs in this regard will be issued."

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court also directed the government to allow students to wear the hijab in classes as more students remained out in schools across the state, refusing to shun the head covering. Teachers have also turned out students who came to attend classes with skull caps. Many students chose to be absent as hijab-wearing students were not allowed into schools.

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra also warned action against the violation of the High Court order as several reports claimed that some colleges saw chaos after students – wearing burqas or hijabs – were not let in. “The overall situation (in the state) is peaceful. Few incidents were reported (on alleged denial of entry for girl students into schools with their headscarves and burqa). We've to follow the interim order passed by the High Court. If anyone violates the order action will be taken as per law,” the state’s Home Minister told ANI.

The protests in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district claimed that they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab. The pre-university education board had released a circular stating that students can wear only the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges.

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