Hijab row: Udupi BJP MLA K Raghupathi Bhat says he gets threat calls
Udupi, Feb 12: Udupi BJP MLA K Raghupathi Bhat has said he has been receiving threat calls from unidentified persons after the hijab issue turned into a major controversy.
Bhat, who is the president of the development committee of the pre-university college for women in Udupi where the hijab issue originated in Karnataka, told reporters in Udupi on Friday that most of the calls received by him were internet calls from foreign countries.
The BJP MLA said the callers are issuing threats to his life which are not new to him. They have been warning that he will be targeted if he asserts himself more on the hijab issue.
Bhat said he also received several calls from local numbers and has informed about the development to state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra. The legislator said he has faced many such threats in the past also and is not scared of this development.
Bhat reiterated that the six girl students at the Udupi PU College in Udupi who insist on wearing hijabs in classroom were misguided by some elements.
To all the threats received through the phone, WhatsApp and Facebook, he has responded by discussing only the issue of uniform and discipline in the college, the MLA said.
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Sexual harassment allegations rock Italian cricket
New Delhi (PTI): Days after making a historic debut at the T20 World Cup, Italy cricket has been rocked by sexual harassment allegations by a women's team player against women's cricket co-ordinator Prabath Ekneligoda, who has been suspended by the nation's cricket board, the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) informed.
According to a statement released by FCRI, the allegations are the subject of an investigation by the federal prosecutor.
"The Federation confirms that, during 2025, the President of the federation acting within her institutional responsibilities and with the full safeguarding of the athletes and other parties involved in mind, ordered the immediate precautionary suspension of the individual concerned from all federal duties and activities," ESPN Cricinfo quoted the the board as saying in a statement.
"This measure was adopted pending a thorough and definitive assessment of the circumstances. The decision was taken as a prudent and responsible step, aimed at preventing any undue speculation, preserving the integrity of the sporting environment, and ensuring that any fact-finding takes place in the appropriate forums, with full respect for personal dignity, due process and the presumption of innocence."
According to reports, Ekneligoda's lawyer has denied the allegations, claiming "ulterior motives" were behind them.
FCRI media manager Rakbir Hasan confirmed to the website that Ekneligoda had travelled with the board president Maria Lorena Haz Paz at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka but didn't have any official duties.
"It is further noted that proceedings are currently under way before the Federal Prosecutor's Office, which is responsible for carrying out the assessments and investigations provided under sporting regulations," the FCRI said.
