Muslim women being humiliated, dehumanised in name of uniformity, law & order: Fraternity Movement
Says "HC's interim order not only problematic, but enabling apartheid against Muslim women"
Bengaluru: A delegation of Fraternity Movement which toured Karnataka from February 25-28 amidst the Hijab row in the state, has released its finding in light of the ban on Hijab in classrooms and college campuses that started in Coastal Karnataka.
The delegation, according to an official press statement, collected testaments and took stock of the situation after the state-wide Hijab ban and subsequent row.
In its findings, the delegation has added that the ban is a targeted hate crime aimed to disempower young Muslim women and segregate the students on the lines of religion.
“We have found that hundreds of Muslim women are expelled from attending classes in the state, following the court interim order, in prima facia violation of human rights. The interim order is not only problematic to the beliefs and practices of the Muslim community but in fact enabling apartheid against Muslim women. In the name of uniformity and law & order, they are being humiliated and dehumanised,” the press release stated.
It further added that Muslim women in the state are being put in “an unfortunate position” and are being made to make a choice between their education and faith, both of which the press statement termed as basic human rights.
“The brave Muslim students are unwilling to compromise on either. They are concerned that they are or will be missing their exams which is adding on the anxieties and insecurities that surround them. These are teenage students who are burdened to brave this herculean fight for their identity and dignity,” it added.
It also added that several Muslim male students they made were physically harassed and attacked by their classmates affiliated to Hindutva right wing groups adding that it was concerning how ABVP and other right-wing groups were reacting to the situation without any checks.
It also pointed how a young Muslim student Muskan Khan was being heckled by a group of Hindutva activists and students at the college campus in Madikeri, the video of which went viral creating shockwaves across the country.
“We all saw the video where Muskan was heckled by 30-40 odd hindu students radicaliesed by the RSS donning saffron stoles that surfaced from Mandya, Karnataka. As everyone moves on from the incident we want to stress that the situation is all the more tense and serious.
“The whole issue escalated only after members of the ABVP and other right wing outfits started a mobilization against hijab distributing saffron stoles and invoking Hindu supremacy. This incident is an example of the patterned way in which these organisations work,” it further added.
The delegation also slammed the state government over their inability to contain the situation and blamed the BJP ministers of furthering hate and Islamophobia. “The Karnataka BJP is trying to turn this issue of rights into international conspiracy. The Home Minister has also ordered a probe into the terror links into the matter. The stereotypical suspicion that surrounds muslims is being invoked to rob the marginalised off its humanity and dignity,” it stated.
“Local and regional media channels are further harassing and intimidating the affected Muslim students. They are violating not only media ethics but all moral ethics. Saffron television channels are using this incident to demonise and stereotype Muslims to manufacture a collective apathy that will further normalise attacks on Muslims and their religious practices.
“We found out that incidents of violence and physical assault in several districts especially in Shimoga are directly unleashed at the members of the Muslim community. The affected areas have been barricaded by police and section 144 has been imposed making it impossible to monitor the situation and intensity of violence. Several videos that came out are evidence that the police was silent onlooker of the attacks,” the press statement further added.
Listing out its demands after based on their findings during the visit, the Fraternity Movement added the Hijab ban should immediately be revoked along with the “discriminatory interim order” and demanded that the government should direct CDC and college administrations to ensure that students allowed to appear fo exams that they have missed or that may be miss because of the ban.
It also called for arrangement of law enforcement for the safe and dignified return of Muslim students to schools and colleges while all FIRs filed on the protesting Muslim students should also be withdrawn.
Among the other demands of the Fraternity Movement were police action against the right-wing outfits and pro-Hindutva students who were involved in communalising the matter and heckling Muslim women, impartial probe into the violence that broke out in Shivamogga and other areas and action against the culprits while also providing compensation to those who have incurred property loss during the violence.
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Protest over ATM staff shooting ends after assurance from MP Sagar Khandre
Bidar: A major protest erupted in front of the district government hospital following a deadly shooting incident involving State Bank of India ATM staff. One staff member was killed, and another critically injured when unidentified assailants opened fire as they attempted to deposit money at the ATM.
The incident drew public outrage, with family members of the victims and local residents gathering outside the hospital. They demanded immediate compensation, job security for a family member, and expedited post-mortem procedures, criticizing the absence of senior officials and government representatives earlier in the day.
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MP Sagar Khandre later arrived to offer condolences and address the protesters' concerns. Responding to demands, he assured that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to arrange for two acres of land and a government job for the victim’s family. Additionally, he confirmed that since the case falls under the Atrocity Act, the Social Welfare Department would provide Rs. 8 lakh in compensation.
Following his assurances, the protest was called off, bringing temporary relief to the tense situation. Police investigations into the robbery and shooting are ongoing, with senior officials, including IGP Ajay Hiroli, overseeing the case.
