Women wearing burqa and hijab (head scarf) are not an unusual sight in the temple city of Udupi in Karnataka. But on Tuesday, the streets of the otherwise bustling city were empty, with schools and colleges closed at a time when most students would be writing their final exams for the academic year.
The state government had imposed prohibitory order Because the hijab controversy had to be decided. With police presence and patrolling at strategic locations, tension was evident in the air.
The Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions filed by a section of Muslim students of the Government Pre-University Girls’ College in Udupi, seeking permission to wear the hijab inside the classroom, observing that “the headscarf is a necessary religious practice in the Islamic faith”. is not part of”.
Soon after, the local residents were speaking in a low voice about the judgment delivered by a full bench of Justices Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice JM Khaji and Justice Krishna S Dixit.
The controversy started when six Muslim girls studying in a government PU college insisted that they want to attend classes wearing one Hijab, The college authorities protested, saying the college was not as per the Uniform Code, which marked the beginning of a standoff between the protesting students and the state government. As the protests turned violent and took on a communal colour, educational institutions were forced to close.
local people say
Abdullah sells ‘attar’ (perfume) just outside the gates of Jamia Masjid on Masjid Road in Udupi. He had just heard about the verdict.
“What can you do? It is God’s will. It is sad that we are facing such a day, if you ask our elders, they will tell how important hijab and burqa are. His education is concerned. He is smart and has defended himself well, but then I do not agree with the court,” he said, caressing his long beard under the shade of a tree to escape the scorching heat of Udupi said.
“Talking has become a hot issue for everyone. It is hotter than it is here,” he joked, adding that the reporter should not take his picture as it is against his religion.
Read also | Hijab ban: Student files petition in Supreme Court challenging Karnataka High Court’s decision
The auto driver and Abdullah’s friend was live-streaming the High Court judgment on his phone for the benefit of other autorickshaw drivers standing at the Ashok stand.
When asked what he felt about the verdict, he suddenly fell into a whisper.
“It is a sensitive subject. Everyone is scared. No one wants to utter a word of hijab. The police are here to ensure that no one creates trouble,” he said of the Karnataka State Reserve Police bus stationed just outside the mosque. He said pointing.
students speak
five hours later Decision Granted, six Muslim girls addressed the media. In the very beginning, he expressed his pain and sorrow over the verdict. But as the press conference progressed, the girls got emotional and ran towards a waiting vehicle in tears.
“We had great faith and belief that our rights would be upheld. We thought we would get justice. We have decided not to attend class without hijab. We will proceed by every legal means,” said Almas AH, one of the petitioners in the case.
Aaliya Asadi, one of the petitioners, also insisted that education is as important to her as her Hijab,
According to the 2011 Census of India, about 8.2% of the population of Udupi are Muslims and another 85% are Hindus.
News18 visited both the colleges, Udupi’s Government Girls PU College and MGM Pre University and Degree College, where chaotic scenes of hijab-wearing girls being denied entry as boys wearing saffron scarves were witnessed.
While the gates of the Government PU Girls College were closed and there was a police presence inside the campus, MGM, though deserted, did not have additional state police forces stationed outside their gate.
Read also | Hijab Row Handbook: With HC’s ruling, News18 looks further back at the issue’s window dressing
Two girls, who were students of MGM College, had come to the college to ask when they could attend classes. As the college was closed, the security personnel at the gate asked him to return the next day.
News18 asked him what he felt about the controversy and the frequent closure of educational institutions.
“I want to be a teacher,” said a girl, parking her two-wheeler on the roadside. “I want to educate the next generation, so it is important to educate ourselves about tolerance, peace, and equality. I am constantly worried about college closures. Just because a handful of girls want to stick around, we suffer,” The student said on condition of anonymity.
Standing beside him was his classmate and best friend.
“I wear a HijabBut when college rules say you can’t wear it to class, I understand. Education is important to me. My parents also know this, so they have given me the freedom to make decisions,” she told News18.com.
Raghupati Bhat, BJP MLA from Udupi and chairman of Government PU College Development Committee, welcomed the decision. “Now we request all the students to return to the colleges peacefully. We would also like to help the girls who filed the petition in the court. We will give them the necessary notes of the classes they missed, so that they can catch up with the syllabus. It is better to leave this issue here.”
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