Karanataka schools, colleges shut for 3 days as hijab ban protests turn violent

Amid tension and violence at educational institutions and other places, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, adjourned to Wednesday, the hearing of petitions questioning the denial of permission to wear hijab to classrooms by Udupi Pre-University College students and others.

Even as the High Court started hearing the matter, the hijab row turned violent in Karnataka on Tuesday as incidents of stone pelting and lathi-charge were reported in the state at Pre-University Colleges.

According to sources, many students were injured in the stone pelting.

The Karnataka Police resorted to lathi charge as incidents of stone pelting were reported during the students' protest.

The police caned the students and protesters to quell the mob from the surrounding areas of the Bapujinagar Government Pre-University College in Shivamogga.

Girl students, wearing hijab, speak to their principal outside the college campus in Udupi.  File/ AP

Meanwhile, considering the volatile situation in the state against the backdrop of the hijab crisis, the BJP government has declared a three-day holiday for schools and colleges starting from Wednesday.

The single bench headed by Justice Krishna S. Dixit also requested the student community to maintain peace.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has requested the students to wait until the court order and not to get provoked.

Hearing the matter, the bench has asked the counsel to present their arguments briefly. Justice Dixit also observed that the court has confidence in the discretionary power of the public and students.

The arguments and counter-arguments can't be heard till the end of the academic year, the bench told counsel.

Indo-Asian News Service