The row over Hijab is getting intensified in the state of Karnataka after reports from multiple districts came that state-runed colleges are banning girls to wear Hijab inside the classroom. From Udupi, the row over hijab has spread its wings to Bhadravati town, Shivamogga district. As per the report, a state-run college has told girl students who wear hijab to remove it in the waiting rooms and attend classes without it from Thursday.
Now, Sriramsena Chief Pramod Muthalik has fanned the fire and made a bizarre statement by suggesting the protesting students go to Pakistan if they cannot give up their Hijab. Sriramsena is a Hindutva group and its Chief Pramod Muthalik during a conversation with India Ahead said, "The school management should strictly tell the girls that there is no need to come to school wearing Hijab. If you demand Hijab, then go to Pakistan."
During his conversation with the news channel, Pramod further accused the PFI and SDPI to influence the six girl students who are protesting for the past few months against the School administration.
During his conversation, Muthalik said, "There is uniform in girls college and uniform means universal and they should follow the rules. There are only six girls who are protesting against it. What do they want hijab or education? What is more important Hijab or education? Hijab means Islamic fundamentalism. Actually, the students are innocent, they don't know anything. They have been influenced by the organizations like PFI, SDPI."
"The fundamental right is outside the school. Once you step inside the school, you have to follow the rules and regulations of the education institution, this is what the Kerala High Court says.," added Muthalik.
Also Read: Karnataka: After protest from 'Saffron shawl' students, College bans girls to wear Hijab in class
On being asked what he will say if a student belonging from a Sikh community goes to school wearing a turban he said, "That is a different matter. In Punjab, it is their culture. But among Muslims, it is not their culture. Like Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan don't keep beards, their wife doesn't wear Burqa. Do all the Muslim girls of India wear Hijab? Today they are asking for Hijab, then they will ask for Burqa, then Namaz, then loudspeakers, then a separate Mosque. It is a way of Islam. It is a threat to National security."
About Hijab Row in Karnataka
In December 2021, four students belonging to a particular community were denied entry into the classroom for wearing hijab (headscarf). The students accused the Principal of the pre-university college of taking such a step and also claimed that they were made to sit outside of the classroom at the stairs and even marked them absent. However, the Principal denied the claims of the students and had stated that the students made the allegations under the influence of some vested interest groups. After the row over Hijab intensified, Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh had emphasized the need for a uniform dress code in order to avoid such incidents in the future.