Hijab Row | Video Released By Al-Qaeda Proves 'Unseen Hands' Behind Controversy: Karnataka Minister

Al Qaeda leader and Osama Bin Laden’s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zwahiri recently appeared in a new video where he praised student Muskaan Khan for standing in defence of the headscarf.

Hijab Row | Video Released By Al-Qaeda Proves 'Unseen Hands' Behind Controversy: Karnataka Minister (File Image)

New Delhi: In the light of the video statement released by Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri on the hijab controversy, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday said that Al-Qaeda getting involved in it proves ‘unseen hands’ behind the row.

“We have been saying this from the beginning, and the High Court too during the hijab verdict had suggested the possibility of some unseen hands behind the hijab row...now it is proved, because Al-Qaeda people are now releasing videos,” news agency PTI quoted the minister as saying.

READ | Now, Al-Qaeda Chief Jumps Into Karnataka Hijab Ban Row. New Video Surfaces

"How things are happening, what is the link. All these things are being looked into by the police...they will find out," he said, adding that the Home and Police department officials are keeping a watch on the developments and tracking things in this connection.

Al Qaeda leader and Osama Bin Laden’s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zwahiri recently appeared in a new video where he praised student Muskaan Khan for standing in defence of the headscarf and chanting 'Allah-hu-Akbar'. In a nine-minute video released by Al Qaeda’s official media wing, As-Sahab Media, al-Zawahiri denounced “enemies of Islam” referring to the Hijab controversy that started in Karnataka. 

Notably, Muskaan Khan, a second-year B.Com student in Mandya, was heckled at the peak of the controversy in February, by a group of students wearing saffron shawl, for entering the college with hijab.

As the students shouted "Jai Shri Ram", Muskaan retorted by shouting "Allah-hu-Akbar." Following this, the college authorities intervened and brought the situation under control.

Meanwhile, condemning the statement by the terror group into internal matters, Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayn said, "Action will be taken against organisations and people linked to them.”

He further said that the state government has not brought any legislation against practices of any community and was only following the law.