News Analysis India

Tag: Hijab case

  • Hijab row: Plea in SC seeking to quash FIR over ‘inflammatory speech’ against Karnataka HC judges

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice on a petition filed by a Chennai resident praying to quash an FIR filed against him in Bengaluru that came from an identical set of facts of another FIR filed against him in Madurai over alleged inflammatory speech against the Karnataka High Court judges who delivered the hijab verdict.

    The petitioner is a state auditing committee member of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath. He allegedly made the speech while addressing a small gathering of people at Goripalayam in Madurai, apparently following the Karnataka High Court verdict that went against wearing hijab in classrooms.

    The petitioner has contended that he would be put under tremendous hardship and it would be impossible for him to approach various courts and police stations in two different states in respect of two FIRs. Furthermore, the continuation of investigation in both the FIRs parallel by two different investigating agencies would be tantamount to abuse of due process, he said.

    “The petitioner is filing the present petition in extremely urgent circumstances as multiple (Two) FIRs have been registered against him in different parts (Madurai, Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru, Karnataka) of the country. Two parallel investigations are being undertaken in two different jurisdictions by two different investigating agencies in regard to the same cause of action,” the plea reads.

    ALSO READ | Karnataka HC order on hijab unconstitutional: Kerala Muslim groups

    “Under these circumstances, the petitioner begs to approach this Hon’ble Court for urgent relief of quashing the second FIR, pending this petition, grant injunction restraining the filing of any further FIRs in the future on the basis of the same cause of action, on the following amongst other grounds, which are without prejudice to one another:” it added.

    Upholding the government order dated February 5, 2022, banning the hijab in classrooms, a full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi of the Karnataka High court had pronounced the verdict on a cluster of petitions questioning the order passed by the state government banning the wearing of hijab in classrooms.

    The high court bench had also maintained that the government has the power to issue impugned order dated February 5, 2022, and no cases were made out for its invalidation. By the said order, the Karnataka government had banned wearing clothes that disturb equality, integrity and public order in schools and colleges, which the Muslim girls had challenged in the High Court. The bench also rejected the plea to initiate a disciplinary inquiry against the college, its principal and teacher.

  • Hijab row: Confident of peace, says Karnataka CM as schools reopen tomorrow

    By PTI

    HUBBALLI: A day ahead of high schools across the state up to class 10 that were shut in the wake of the Hijab row, reopening, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday expressed confidence that peace and normalcy will prevail.

    He also said a decision regarding reopening of Pre-University and Degree colleges will be taken after assessing the situation.

    “High schools up to class 10 will reopen tomorrow, already Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of police and Deputy Director of Public Instruction of all districts have been asked to hold peace meetings involving parents and teachers at important schools aimed at maintaining a cordial atmosphere. I’m confident that schools will function peacefully,” Bommai said.

    ALSO READ: Udupi DC imposes Section 144 near high school premises

    Speaking to reporters here, he said that he has asked Education Ministers to submit a report after examining the situation regarding reopening of Pre-University and Degree colleges, based on the assessment a meeting will be held and a decision will be taken.

    The government on Friday had said that the holiday announced to universities belonging to the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE), in the wake of the Hijab row, has been extended till February 16.

    Regarding reports about the involvement of certain organisations and foreign hands behind the hijab row, the Chief Minister in response to a question said, “such reports in the media and social media are being taken note by our investigating officials, who are also gathering information on their end.”

    “What is before me, and my first duty is that schools and colleges should return to normal functioning, and students should study in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere and prepare for exams that is likely by March-April,” he said.

    As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the government declared a holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from February 9.

    Following the court order, the government on February 10 had decided to resume classes for high school students up to class 10 from February 14, and for Pre-University and Degree Colleges thereafter.

    The Karnataka High Court, in its interim order pending consideration of all petitions related to the Hijab row, had earlier 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.

    In the wake of reopening of schools, the government had last week issued a series of directions to district administrations, aimed at maintaining peace and that the High Court order is not violated.

    Bommai, who also holds the Finance portfolio and will be presenting his first budget early next month said, all-round development of the state is in his mind.

    “After the economic slowdown due to COVID for the last two years, things are recovering in the last four to five months, there is improvement in the revenue collection. Budget will focus on economic development, public welfare and financial discipline. We will have to give a boost to an economy that has slowed down, also priority has to be given to weaker sections and working class,” he added.