Bengaluru, Feb 9, (Asia Free Press): Karnataka Police on Wednesday prohibited gatherings, agitations or protests of any type within the area of 200-metre radius from the gates of schools, PU colleges, degree colleges or similar educational institutions in Bengaluru city for a period of two weeks with immediate effect, following developments around the hijab controversy in the state, reported ANI.
The order will remain in effect till February 2022.
The order highlighted that, in the last few days, protests and agitations have been held in connection with strict enforcement of schools/colleges Uniform Rules. “Whereas, at some places, these protests have led to violence, disturbing public peace and order. Since the possibility of similar agitations / protests being held in Bengaluru city cannot be ruled out, it is very essential to initiate proper security measures to maintain public peace and order in Bengaluru city,” it read.
The Hijab protests began in January this year when some students at the Government Girls PU College in the Udupi district of Karnataka were barred from attending classes. During the protests, the students claimed they were denied entry into college for wearing hijab.
Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust Vijaypura wearing saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udipi district.
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.
Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 has been declared in all universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and technical Education (DCTE).
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court also appealed to the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquility while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on hijab in the state.
