Udupi BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhat seeks NIA probe into hijab row
Mangaluru(PTI): Udupi BJP MLA K Raghupathi Bhat on Friday demanded an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the hijab controversy that started at the government girls' pre-university college in Udupi.
Bhat, who is also the college development committee president, alleged in a statement that the students have approached the Supreme Court questioning the interim order of the Karnataka High Court at the behest of Campus Front of India (CFI).
He charged that the six Muslim girl students of the college had opened Twitter accounts in October-November last year and posted the contents of CFI statements on their accounts which were anti-national.'
They had tweeted that the Muslim community did not get justice in the Babri Masjid issue and they will fight to get their rights at any cost, the MLA said.
Innocent girls are being brainwashed with blind religious ideology and this has been conveyed to the state Home Minister and the police department, Bhat said in the statement.
Bhat said only a comprehensive investigation by the NIA will bring out the reasons for turning the hijab issue into a controversy. The youth Congress has also joined hands with the CFI by moving the Supreme Court on the issue.
The MLA claimed that Muslim leaders in Udupi do not want any friction between the two communities and those from outside are creating trouble by conspiring to disturb peace in the district.
A thorough investigation should be held into the reasons that led to the controversy, he 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.
