Hijab row: Bommai appeals to everyone to maintain peace, restrain from making provocative statements
New Delhi, Feb 8: As the hijab row intensified further in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday appealed to the Opposition and the people concerned not to escalate the situation by making "provocative" statements and to wait for the High Court order.
The state government is going by the law on dress code and the same stand has been put before the court, he said.
"Let's wait for the judiciary's decision and we will abide by whatever it says," he added.
The chief minister also said that the Karnataka government has declared a holiday in high schools and colleges in the state for the next three days in order to maintain law and order.
Replying to queries from reporters here, Bommai said there were some disturbances in a few places and appealed for peace and harmony.
"I appeal to students to maintain peace and there is no occasion for any clashes.
"I appeal to teachers to ensure peace is maintained. I am asking concerned people not to make provocative statements and aggravate the situation because it is a very sensitive issue as far as students are concerned," he said.
Students have to sit together and do academic activities. Therefore, peace and harmony should be maintained, he said and asked teachers and management of schools and colleges to maintain peace.
Tension had prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts of the state as they were rocked by protests for and against hijab today, forcing the police and administration to intervene.
The Karnataka High Court today heard petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college and the matter has been posted for Wednesday.
The protest over dress code started in one school and has spread to other districts.
"It is very unfortunate. The matter is seized by the High Court. As I speak now, the High Court proceedings on this matter are going on. ...We are waiting for the directions from the court," he said.
Similar situations were witnessed in other states and different high courts have given different judgements. "Our matter is also in the HC," he said.
As far as the legality of the whole issue is concerned, the state government has put its case clearly as per the Karnataka Education Act, he said and added: "Let us wait for the direction from the High Court, till that time the peace needs to be maintained. I appeal to everyone."
On opposition parties in Parliament raising the hijab row and accusing the BJP of polarisation, the CM said, "These are all allegations and do not have any ground."
Proper education has to be given to students in the state. The state government is going by the law on dress code and the same stand has been put before the court, he said.
Bommai, on the second day of his visit to the national capital, met Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal and requested him to give production-linked incentives for toy and FMCG industries in the state.
He also spoke to BJP National President J P Nadda over the phone over the state issue. "Naddaji has said he will speak to me after two days," he added.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
