Karnataka High Court, hearing the hijab ban case in school-college campuses, on Wednesday referred the matter to Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi with the view that the CJ may decide on constitution of a larger bench. to look into the matter. Justice Krishna S Dixit, who has been hearing a batch of petitions against the hijab ban in classrooms since Tuesday, said these cases raise certain constitutional questions of fundamental importance in view of certain aspects of personal law.
Justice Dixit said, “Given the enormity of the questions of importance which were debated, the Court is of the view that the Chief Justice should decide whether a larger Bench can be constituted in the matter.”
“The bench was also of the view that interim prayers should also be placed before a larger bench, which may be constituted by Chief Justice Awasthi in exercise of his discretion,” Justice Dixit said in the order.
Earlier in the day, a massive protest march was taken out in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi led by Muslim women from several organisations, demanding to allow the hijab in educational institutions in the state as the government “followed” on its circular for the ban. No compromise” had reiterated its position. Headscarf in public schools and colleges. In the backdrop of incidents of violence caused by the hijab controversy, Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh told CNN-News18 that “the government will not compromise” and “will also investigate the role of the Popular Front of India (PFI).” against “.
“We have requested the police to investigate whether Campus Front of India (CFI) or PFI is behind this (protest). Things will be taken care of after investigation and the Chief Minister and the state home department will look into it. We will not compromise and will stick to our stand. The stand of the government is clear. Our circular has been sent and we are sticking to it. Students cannot be separated. No compromise,” said Nagesh.
Two additional battalions of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) were deployed at Shivamogga, while four senior officers were sent to the district after the hijab-saffron shawl controversy turned violent in different parts of the city. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Shivamogga on Tuesday for two days. Five cases have been registered in connection with Tuesday’s violence – three at Shivamogga Kote police station, one each at Shikaripura and Sagar city police stations. Police are examining yesterday’s video footage to detain those involved in the violence.
According to the police, some students pelted stones at the Government First Class College in Bapujinagar area of the city, injuring the students. They were protesting in the college premises and demanding the authorities concerned to either allow them to attend classes wearing saffron shawls or ban the hijab. Some suffered minor injuries as the agitators pelted stones at the college. He was admitted to the city’s District McGann Teaching Hospital. Police said that prohibitory orders will remain in force in Shivamogga town till February 9. Gatherings of five or more people have been banned in public places.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai arrived in Bengaluru from Delhi and met DGP Praveen Sood immediately around midnight after he ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges in the state for the next three days amid a controversy. Apart from the DGP, Home and Education Ministers were also present. The CM also met the Superintendents of Police (SPs) and asked them to enforce Section 144 in their respective district “wherever necessary, without consulting the government”.