Karnataka Hijab Row: Pre-University & Degree Colleges Across The State To Reopen Today

Pre-university and degree colleges across Karnataka, that were shut due to the hijab row in the state, will reopen today, according to a decision made by the state government on Monday. 

New Delhi: Pre-university (PU) and degree colleges across Karnataka, that were shut due to the hijab row in the state, will reopen today, according to a decision made by the state government on Monday. Schools up to class 10th had reopened in Karnataka on Monday.  

The decision to reopen PU and Degree Colleges was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bomnai, the Press Trust of India reported.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh, Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, and senior officials of the government.

Quoting Education Minister, the PTI report said, that at the meeting, the current situation in the state was analysed and it was decided to reopen PU and Degree Colleges from Wednesday. 

Education Minister BC Nagesh spoke to reporters after the meeting and said that the colleges will reopen on the basis of the Karnataka High Court's interim order. 

"Wherever (in colleges) there are uniform related rules, it has to be strictly followed. Where a uniform is not there, the dress code will be decided. We will strictly follow the High Court," Nagesh was quoted as saying in the PTI report.

The government had declared a holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from February 9, because protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka, and turned violent in some places. The holiday was subsequently extended up to February 16.

Last week, the Karnataka High Court, in its interim order pending considering of all petitions related to the hijab row, had requested the state government to reopen educational institutions and restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab, and any religious flag within the classroom, the report said.

The government, following the court order, had decided to resume classes for high school students up to Class 10 from February 14, and for pre-university and degree colleges thereafter. 

Home Minister Jnanendra expressed confidence that there will be no untoward incidents when colleges reopen and said police are with educational institutions and see to it that there is no disturbance to peace, the PTI report stated.