New Delhi: The Opposition raised Karnataka’s hijab controversy in the Lok Sabha on Monday calling the developments in the southern state a threat to India’s “diversity”.
“Where are we taking our India? We cannot lose our diversity,” Congress MP from Kerala, TN Prathapan, said in the Lok Sabha, ANI reported.
The Congress MP requested Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to intervene in this matter to ensure the constitutional rights of the students.
Amid the raging controversy surrounding the bar on Muslim students wearing the hijab in at least five educational institutions in Udupi district, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has ordered a special probe to ascertain who is responsible for instigating the students.
Alleging that vested interests are instigating some students, Jnanendra said: “I suspect some vested interest behind these issues (Udupi row). I directed cops to inquire about it as to who is involved in instigating it.”
Reiterating that the state government has already clarified that students should wear the uniform approved by college management, Jnanendra said that both hijab and shawls are not allowed in the college premises.
“Students should think beyond religion. Uniform is a symbol of equality,” he said
The Karnataka government had earlier issued an order imposing a ban on the wearing of clothes that tend to disturb integrity, equality and public order.
The Karnataka High Court will on Tuesday hear the petitions filed by five girl students of a Government Pre-University College in Udupi, questioning the restriction on wearing hijab in college.