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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Bengaluru: The Indian National Congress has taken sharp aim at senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) for allegedly making contradictory statements regarding the caste census. Former Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas BV, in a social media post, highlighted a series of U-turns by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy.
In his statement, Srinivas BV referred to them as the “Ghajini Brothers of Karnataka politics,” alluding to their frequent changes in position, and suggesting they suffer from political amnesia. Highlighting their contradictory statements, he remarked that one day they term the caste census as "dangerous," and the next, they celebrate it as "historic." With sharp sarcasm, he added that at this rate, even Ghajini might ask them for memory lessons.
The Congress also released a digital poster under the theme "U-Turn MPs", showcasing contrasting remarks by the two leaders.
Meet the Ghajini Brothers of Karnataka Politics, every few months, they forget what they once said!
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) May 5, 2025
One day caste census is 'dangerous', next day it's 'historic'.
At this point, even Ghajini might ask them for memory lessons! pic.twitter.com/9Rp6Mg8R1r
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s statements:
On October 31, 2023, Surya stated: “Caste-based divisions have had an adverse impact on society. Hindu reformers have unequivocally condemned them. In this age, it is incumbent upon us to unite, rather than further divide ourselves on the basis of caste.”
In a more recent post, he expressed support for the Union Government’s decision: “Welcome the historic decision of Shri Narendra Modi-led NDA government to include caste enumeration in the census exercise.”
JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy’s remarks:
Initially, Kumaraswamy had questioned the motives behind the exercise: “Caste Census or Census of Hatred? What is it really—a caste census or a census of hate?”
Subsequently, he welcomed the same decision: “A historic and visionary decision under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi; caste enumeration will now be part of the upcoming national census for the first time since 1931.”
The Congress has used these statements to argue that the BJP and JD(S) are not consistent in their approach to socially sensitive issues like caste enumeration. According to party leaders, such shifting positions reflect political opportunism rather than principled leadership.