UDUPI: Even as the hijab (headscarf) row at the Government PU College for Girls in Udupi in Karnataka remains unresolved, the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) has warned the government of launching a saffron shawl campaign in all educational institutions in the district "if Muslim girls are allowed to wear hijab during classes".
HJV Mangaluru divisional general secretary Prakash Kukkehalli said, “If hijab is allowed, Hindu students will attend classes by wearing saffron shawls in schools and colleges in the district.”
Alleging that communal organisations were trying to disrupt the harmony on educational campuses, Kukkehalli said that efforts are being made to send students to institutions by wearing burqas and hijabs.
“They are now demanding permission to wear hijab during class, and in future, they may seek permission to wear skull cap and burqas on educational campuses," he said.
He added, "Communal organisations are trying to portray the incident being reported in the district as an international issue. We will launch a campaign of Hindu students wearing saffron shawls in all schools and colleges in the district if the government bows down to the pressure tactics of religious organisations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) state committee arrived at the college in Udupi to meet the principal to discuss the hijab row.
However, the college remained closed on Friday after a few students tested positive for Covid-19.
NSUI state vice-president Farooq Bayabe said that the organisation has decided to file a writ petition in the high court.
“The fundamental rights of Muslim girl students are denied by banning hijabs in the college,” he said.
The NSUI delegation submitted a memorandum to Udupi deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao to allow Muslim girls to wear hijab during classes.
