Hijab row: Decision on extending closure of schools, colleges will be taken today, says CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Feb 10: As a three-judge full bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions over the 'hijab' row on Thursday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged upon everyone including politicians, not to make statements that incite people and to maintain peace.
He will be holding a meeting with Ministers of Education and Home departments and officials later in the day aimed at taking certain measures to restore cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline at educational institutions.
The government also indicated that educational institutions were not meant for religious practices and wanted the students to follow the uniform dress code.
"The issue on uniform dress code at educational institutions has been transferred to the three judge bench of the High Court and the hearing will begin at about 2:30 pm today. Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges to avoid any disturbance between students. It is the duty of every one to see to it that there is no incitement by outsiders and to maintain law and order," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said everyone should wait for the court verdict as it is seized of the matter and in a democracy every one should respect it.
"I appeal to everyone, whoever had to make their statement or remarks on the issue have already made it. Now, everyone should stop and wait for the court verdict. No one should make any statement that disturbs peace and should restrain themselves," he added.
The full bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice J M Khazi will hear a batch of petitions on the hijab row in the afternoon.
The single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit on Wednesday had requested the Chief Justice to refer all the petitions to a larger bench.
Further, noting that he has called a meeting with the Education Minister and officials to which the Home Minister has also been invited, the Chief Minister said: "We will examine in detail the developments that have taken place till now and take certain measures aimed at restoring cordial and peaceful atmosphere and discipline in schools and colleges."
Asked whether the three-day holiday declared to schools and colleges will be extended, he said, "Let's see, it will be decided at the evening meeting."
To a question on Congress' allegation that a minister's son distributed saffron shawls to students, Bommai said, "there have been allegations and counter allegations from both sides, I don't want to comment on it. In fact, I'm calling on to stop such things, no one will benefit from it. People holding responsible positions should be sensible and sensitive on the issue involving students."
Meanwhile, the state Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh appealed to students to return to schools and colleges with uniform as exams were nearing, as he indicated that such institutions were not meant for religious practices.
"I request the students to follow the uniform, come to schools and let the schools-colleges function as usual. The SSLC and the PU exams will start in March and April and you need to focus on your studies," he told reporters.
"We don't want differences emerge among the young minds amongst each other. If students start thinking that this person is a Muslim and that person is a Hindu, will it be possible to attend classes and take lessons?" Nagesh sought to know.
According to him, many people have got involved in an emotional issue like hijab. Further, some miscreants took the problem faced by six students (who insisted on wearing hijabs in class-rooms) in the coastal Udupi district statewide, he charged.
To a query that some people have come forward to give cash reward to the Burqah-clad girl who screamed 'Alla hu Akbar' in Mandya on her entry to the school when she was heckled by some boys two days ago, Nagesh said it will be investigated.
"The Supreme Court lawyers who will fight for Hijab saying that it is their religious belief, where they belong to and whose legal experts they are and which politician's house they will discuss, will be known in the coming days," the minister said.
Ignoring the school uniform norm, a few Muslim girls started coming to their government college in Udupi wearing Hijab, a few weeks ago. Protesting against it, some Hindu students started attending classes wearing saffron scarves.
The row then spread to other districts of Karnataka as well leading to tension, and violence at some places, prompting the state government to announce a three-day holiday to high schools and pre-university colleges starting from Wednesday.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
