Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh alleged vested interests groups behind the hijab row
Team Clarion
UDUPI – After Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh alleged that there were vested interests groups behind the hijab row, the Campus Front of India, a student group, active in South Indian states, on Wednesday, dared the minister by reiterating its support to the Muslim girls in their resistance against the ban on hijab.
Speaking at a press conference in Udupi, on Wednesday, Athaullah Punjalakatt, the president of the group, said: “The Campus Front has always been at the forefront of the hijab movement and has made it clear that it will legally fight for the constitutional rights of the students.”
On Tuesday, as the state descended into chaos, Nagesh alleged that the CFI was behind the hijab row. He informed that an investigation into the matter has been instituted the report of which would be put out soon and everything would become clear.
The CFI dismissed the allegations as “baseless” claiming that RSS’ student body, ABVP, with the support of the ruling BJP resorted to violence on Tuesday.
The group slammed the state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for his silence on the role of the Sangh Parivar in stoking the violence including hoisting bhagwa (saffron) flag in Shimoga college, heckling of a Muslim girl student who was alone on her way to her college in Mandya, stabbing a fellow student for refusing to wear saffron shawl. The CFI demanded legal action against the students who resorted to violence.
Authorities have clarified that ‘Bhagva Dhwaj’ was hoisted on the empty flag post in Shivamogga college on Tuesday. They denied that Bhagva Dhawj was hoisted after taking down Tricolour, the national flag.
Meanwhile, police reports said, 15 persons were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out on Tuesday and sent them to judicial custody in Shivamogga and Bagalkot districts.
The ban on hijab in colleges had triggered protests and counter protests in the last one week with many saying that the ban violates constitutional rights of Muslim students.