Pre-university, degree colleges in Karnataka to reopen from Feb 16
Bengaluru, Feb 14: The Karnataka government on Monday decided to reopen pre-university and degree colleges across the state, that were shut due to hijab row, from February 16.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, which was attended by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh, Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, and senior officials of the government.
"At the meeting, the current situation in the state was analysed. It was decided to reopen PU and Degree colleges from Wednesday," Nagesh said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said the colleges will reopen on the basis of the Karnataka High Court's interim order.
"Wherever (in colleges) there are uniform related rules, it has to be strictly followed. Where a uniform is not there, the dress code will be decided. We will strictly follow the High Court order," he added.
As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the government had declared a holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from February 9, and it was subsequently extended up to February 16.
However, the Karnataka High Court, in its interim order pending consideration of all petitions related to the hijab row, last week had requested the state government to reopen educational institutions and restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag within the classroom.
Following the court order, the government had decided to resume classes for high school students up to Class 10 from February 14, and for pre-university and degree colleges thereafter, and accordingly high schools across the state reopened today.
Expressing confidence that there will be no untoward incidents when colleges reopen, Home Minister Jnanendra said police are with educational institutions and see to it that there is no disturbance to peace.
Police officials are gathering information regarding how the row got escalated, and investigation is on in this regard.
ಫೆ.16ರಿಂದ ಪಿಯು (1&2) ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳನ್ನು ಪುನಾರಂಭಿಸಲು ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @BSBommai ಅವರ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಚಿವರಾದ @JnanendraAraga @drashwathcn ಹಾಗೂ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಡೆದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.
— B.C Nagesh (@BCNagesh_bjp) February 14, 2022
ಕಾಲೇಜು ಪುನಾರಂಭದ ವೇಳೆ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಬಂದೋಬಸ್ತ್ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲು ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯವರು ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೂಚನೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
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Three footballers of Indian origin named in squads for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Three footballers of Indian origin have been named in preliminary or final squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
According to a report published by Mathrubhumi, Sarpreet Singh was included in the New Zealand national football team squad which was announced on Wednesday.
Born in Auckland to Indian parents, Singh was eligible to represent India through his family roots but chose to play for New Zealand. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since become a regular member of the national side.
Singh has made 26 appearances for New Zealand and has scored three goals while providing seven assists.
Julen Lopetegui has included two players of Indian origin: Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed, in Qatar’s selections for the tournament.
Mason, a defender whose mother is Indian, previously trained in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Southampton FC and Aston Villa FC. Although he received his first senior call-up earlier this year, the Qatar defender is yet to make his senior international debut.
Tahsin Mohammed, 19, was born to parents from Kerala’s Kannur district. His father Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his mother Shaima belongs to Valapattanam. The winger became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s premier domestic football competition.
Mohammed has made two appearances for the senior Qatar side, including in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.
