Karnataka hijab row: CM Bommai orders closure of high schools for 3 days

The Karnataka high court will resume at 2:30pm on Wednesday a plea against denial of entry to hijab-clad students in schools and colleges.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday announced all high schools and colleges in the state will remain closed for the next three days as controversy over students wearing hijab on campus intensified, with violence reported from several districts.

Hijab-clad students have been stopped from entering colleges in Karnataka. (HT Photo)

“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate,” Bommai tweeted.

“We're awaiting directions from the Karnataka high court. I appeal to students to maintain peace and harmony. I've directed school administration to see there're no clashes among students. Appeal to all persons concerned from outside not to make provocative statements,” Bommai was earlier quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

 

The opposition Congress, too, had requested the Karnataka government to shut educational institutes to restore law and order. “The situation in some Karnataka educational institutions has gone so out of hand that in one case the National flag was replaced by a saffron flag. I think the affected institutions should be closed for a week to restore law and order. Teaching can continue online,” DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress president, tweeted.

The Karnataka high court, meanwhile, took up the petition challenging denial of entry to hijab-clad students in schools and colleges, observing that students indulging in violence ‘is not a good thing.’

Expressing full faith in the wisdom and virtue of the public at large, the court said it will resume hearing at 2:30pm on Wednesday.