News Analysis India

Tag: Karnataka

  • Karnataka hijab row: Petitioners’ counsel concludes arguments in HC, govt to argue on Friday

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: The Karnataka government will submit its arguments before the Karnataka High Court with regard to the hijab issue on Friday, as the arguments of the counsels of a batch of petitions questioning the ban of hijab in colleges concluded on Thursday. 

    When the arguments of the counsels of the petitioners-students concluded before the full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi, the Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadagi submitted that he will argue on Friday. 

    During the hearing, Dr Vinod G Kulkarni, a consulting neuropsychiatrist from Hubballi, argued on his own with regard to filing public interest litigation filed by him, that the hijab issue has created mass hysteria and disturbed minds of all, particularly Muslim students. Therefore, Muslim girl students be permitted to wear hijab on Fridays and ensuing Ramzan, to guard the mental health, he pleaded.  

    Before this, the court dismissed a petition filed by Arif Jameel, a social activist from the city against the hijab ban on the ground that it is not maintainable, as the rules made for filing public interest litigations are not followed. 

    Meanwhile, the court also permitted the counsel to withdraw the petition filed by five students from private educational institutions in city on the ground that the impugned government order likely to be affected, as cause of action was not mentioned, with liberty to file a fresh plea with full details. 

    The court made it clear that it will allow the intervenors for arguing on the issue, if their assistance is necessary, after the arguments of the counsels of the petitioners as well as state government is concluded.  

  • 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.

  • Amid hijab row, Arunachal schools allow students to wear traditional attires to class every Monday

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: As the debate intensifies around students wearing hijab in Karnataka’s educational institutions, private schools in Arunachal Pradesh have decided to let students wear traditional attires.

    In the 2022-23 academic session, students – cutting across tribes and communities – will go to their educational institutes wearing traditional outfits every Monday.

    The decision was taken by the Arunachal Pradesh Private Schools and Children Welfare Association at a meeting where representatives of more than 180 schools were present.

    “There are more than 100 tribes and sub-tribes in Arunachal. We have decided that the students, including non-tribals, will go to school wearing their traditional dress every Monday. It will be mandatory for all students,” the association vice-president Tarh Jhony told this newspaper on Friday.

    “The students will have the freedom to wear their traditional dress, irrespective of communities. If somebody is a Nyishi, s/he will wear Nyishi dress. The Galos will wear their traditional dress. Similarly, the non-tribals will have the freedom to wear their traditional dress,” Jhony explained.

    He said the Nyishi Students’ Union had earlier raised this issue before the state government and a section of the parents also wanted this to be implemented.

    “Most parents suggested that the students wear their traditional dress once a week. This decision will contribute to the promotion of local culture and tradition,” Jhony said.

    He said the association would take action against any school found not abiding by the resolution.

    The association resolved the students would wear only the traditional dress on the given day. They will not wear the traditional ornaments or carry a customary machete. The association felt the introduction of traditional dress would support the local weavers.

    Jhony said no religion should be reflected in the uniform of educational institutes which have students from across communities. 

  • Karnataka hijab row: 2,000 intellectuals write open letter in solidarity with Muslim students

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: “The ban on hijab in classrooms and campuses in coastal Karnataka, which is now spreading to other states, is a hate crime”, said over 2000 intellectuals through an open letter on Thursday.

    The intellectuals, who are working as lawyers, journalists, academicians, and woman-right activists, said they are in solidarity with the Muslim women who are protesting the ban on hijab. They further said the restrictions on wearing hijab in classrooms and campuses are only the latest pretext to impose ‘apartheid’ on Muslim women.

    The signatories in the open letter, endorsed by over 130 groups across 15 states, have stated that the Indian Constitution mandates schools and colleges to nurture plurality. “Uniform in such institutions is meant to minimize the differences between students. They are not intended to impose cultural uniformity on a plural country,” the signatories of the open letter stated.

    Kavita Krishnan of AIPWA, who is leading the solidarity movement, said making hijabi women sit in separate classrooms or moving them from the colleges of their choice to Muslim-run colleges is nothing but “apartheid”.

    ALSO READ | No religious garments in educational institutions till final verdict, says Karnataka HC

    She along with other signatories of the letter alleged that the “Hindu supremacist” groups in coastal Karnataka have since 2008 been unleashing violence to ensure such “apartheid”.

    “We are appalled that the Karnataka Home Minister has ordered an investigation into the phone records of hijab-wearing Muslim women to ‘probe their link’ with ‘terror groups, the open letter further stated adding that Muslim women wearing hijab are now being treated as conspirators.

    The signatories declared: “Educational institutions should pay attention to what is inside students’ heads and not what’s on them. We stand with every woman who is told that she can not enter college because she is wearing jeans or shorts or hijab”.

    All the signatories demanded stern action against the organisation and individuals who led and were part of the mob that heckled a Muslim girl in Mandya. They also appealed to the students and citizens all over the country to resist any attempt to impose misogynistic and Islamophobic dress codes on students.

    Prominent amongst other signatories of the open letter are Kavita Srivastava (People’s Union for Civil Liberties), Kavita Krishnan (AIPWA), Asha Pandey (lawyer), Abhiti Gupta(feminist) Cedric Prakash (human right activist), Akash Bhattacharya (All India Peoples’ Forum), Clifton D’ Rozario (All India Lawyers Association for Justice) and Abha Dev Habib (Democratic Teachers’ Front).

  • Supreme Court to consider listing plea on Karnataka hijab row

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would consider a submission seeking the listing of a plea for transferring a case on the hijab row from the Karnataka High Court to itself.

    A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said the high court is seized of the case and should be allowed to continue with the hearing and decide it.

    Seeking transfer of the case and hearing by a nine-judge bench at the top court, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “The problem is that schools and colleges are closed. Girls are being stoned. It’s spreading across the country.”

    After being told by Sibal that he did not want any order and only listing of the plea, the CJI said, “We will see.”

    On Wednesday, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi constituted a full bench, comprising himself and Justices Krishna S Dixit and J M Khazi, which will look into the hijab matter on Thursday.

  • Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh tests positive for Covid-19

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh on Saturday informed that he has tested positive for Covid and has “mild symptoms”.

    Nagesh also requested all those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested at the earliest.

    Taking to Twitter, the Minister said, “I’ve tested positive for Covid-19 today with mild symptoms. I have quarantined myself and taking all the necessary precautions and medication required. I would request those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested at the earliest.” 

  • Bullock cart race: SC to hear Tamil Nadu & Karnataka on Maharashtra’s application

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday asked the Maharashtra government to serve a copy of its application, which has raised issues about the bullock-cart race, to states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, saying anything said by the court in the matter might ‘affect’ them.

    The application filed by Maharashtra, which has urged the apex court to permit the state to conduct a bullock-cart race, came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar.

    Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was appearing for Maharashtra along with advocate Sachin Patil, told the top court that the bullock cart race is carrying on in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. “We will have it next week. You give notice to the advocates for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also” Anything said here may affect there, adversely or in favour, we don’t know,” the bench told Rohatgi.

    The senior counsel told the bench that the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are before the apex court in the pending matter and there is a reference made to the constitution bench as well.

    “For the nature of the issue involved, it may be appropriate to hear the parties appearing in proceedings pending in this court pertaining to the state of Tamil Nadu and state of Karnataka in particular,” the bench said.

    One of the advocates appearing in the matter said that the bullock cart race was banned in Maharashtra on the ground that it was cruelty to the animal. “What is cruel in other states would be cruel in Maharashtra also,” the bench observed. It asked the parties to file their response or written note in the matter before the next date of hearing.

    The Maharashtra government has said that there is a prohibition on bullock cart race in the state as the Bombay High Court in its interim order had refused to lift the ban in 2017, while there is no stay on the concerned Acts of the other two states.

    In February 2018, the apex court had referred the pleas related to ‘Jallikattu’ to a five-judge constitution bench which would decide if the bull-taming sport fell under cultural rights or perpetuated cruelty to animals.

    Jallikattu, also known ‘eruthazhuvuthal’, is a bull-taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of the Pongal harvest festival.

  • Statement on modern women unwilling to marry and bear children was taken out of context: Minister

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday said his statement on modern women unwilling to marry and bear children at an event in NIMHANS was taken out of context and that he had no intention of singling out women and it was based on a survey, which cited statistics on what the younger generation felt about it.

    During the World Mental Health Day at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS) on Sunday, Sudhakar had said, “Today, I am sorry to say this, lots of modern women in India want to stay single. Even if they get married, they don’t want to give birth. They want surrogacy. So there is a paradigm shift in our thinking, which is not good.” Issuing a clarification on Monday, Sudhakar said, “It is unfortunate that a small part of my address out of the nineteen and a half minutes long speech during the World Mental Health Day programme at NIMHANS on Sunday is taken out of context and thereby losing out on the larger point I was trying to make at the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.”

    He said that being a father of a daughter and medical doctor by training, he understood the sensitivities around women and also the mental health issues.

    Sudhakar said that it is widely established through research and studies that in a situation where the mental health resource is a scarcity, families form a valuable support system, which could be helpful in management of various stressful situations.

    Indian society is collectivistic and promotes social cohesion and interdependence. The traditional Indian joint family, which follows the same principles of collectivism, has proved itself to be an excellent resource for the care of the mentally ill, he said.

    “Unlike western society, which puts the impetus on ‘individualism’, the Indian society is ‘collectivistic’ in that it promotes interdependence and co-operation, with the family forming the focal point of this social structure,” the minister said.

    According to him, the Indian and Asian families are therefore, far more involved in caring of its members and also suffer greater illness burden than their western counterparts.

    Sudhakar added that the Indian families are more intimate with the patient, and are capable of taking greater therapeutic participation than in the west.

    To substantiate his claim, he cited a research paper published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry.

    Sudhakar said his statement about younger generation shying away from marriage and reproduction is also based on a survey.

    The findings of YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial Survey shows that, among millennials, 19 per cent aren’t interested in either children or marriage, the Minister said. He added that another eight per cent want children, but are not interested in marriage.

    “Among post-millennials (or Gen Z adults), 23 per cent aren’t interested in either children or marriage. As in the case of millennials, eight per cent want children, but are not interested in marriage. There are very little gender-wise differences in these trends. It is applicable to both boys and girls,” Sudhakar said.

    The minister said he was trying to convey that youth can find solution and solace to mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress in our traditional family and its value system, which offers a wonderful support system.

    “I would like to clarify that I had no intention to single out women nor did my words mean so,” Sudhakar clarified. He also asked people to go through his full speech on his Facebook page.

  • Target to vaccinate entire adult population by Nov: Karnataka Health Minister

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is working with a target to fully vaccinate the entire adult population against COVID-19 by the end of November, Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Monday.

    In a video conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat CEOs of 23 districts, which are lagging behind in vaccination coverage, the minister said:”These 23 district administrations have been given a target to speed up coverage and complete the first dose for all by the end of this month. Target has been set to complete both the doses for all by November,” Sudhakar said.

    Progress and achievement on testing, setting up of oxygen plants and other civil works were also discussed at the meeting, he added.

    Noting that even last year the state government had allowed celebration of Ganesha festival, despite a higher number of COVID cases, the Minister said, “this year we have a positivity rate of 0.7 per cent and guidelines have been issued to ensure precautionary measures especially in public celebration.

    ” “We will review the situation district -wise and issue separate guidelines wherever the positivity is more than 2 per cent,” he was quoted as saying by his office in a release.

    The government on Sunday had issued guidelines for the Ganesha festival celebrations limiting it to five days and prohibiting cultural programmes and processions.

    Pointing out that a 12-year old boy who was detected with Nipah virus infection in Kerala has succumbed to it, Sudhakar said, “We have taken strict measures to ensure it doesn’t spread here. We also need to be vigilant to prevent a third wave of COVID.”

  • Worry of IQ, expenditure, genuinity of test reports starts as Covid cases rise in Karnataka

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: As the number people coming from Kerala to Karnataka and testing positive is rising, the worries of management and health officials also climb up.

    While the management of the educational and professional institutions are worried about institutional quarantine, health checks, payments and responsibilities associated with it, health officials are worried of the laxity and attitude, which is leading to rising in Covid19 cases and the formation of clusters in the state,

    “Cases are not just rising in Dakshin Kannada and Kolar, but now have started to rise in Bengaluru also and the first in line is the Christian College of Nursing in Mahadevapura. This we got to know because of students started showing symptoms and some of their contacts were staying in other places who told neighbours and the word spread. But there are many other colleges and institutions of which data has not yet been shared, despite government orders,” said a senior BBMP official not wanting to be named. 

    Health department officials have also expressed their worry and have said that those who come from Kerala, do not want to go in for institutional quarantine and assert that they have a negative report. “The management tell us that they believe the reports their students and employees are carrying, but if the government does not believe it and are insisting on IQ, then the government should make all arrangements for it and not put the onus on the management. They are wanting to shun this task under the guise of additional and additional expenditure for them,” said a health department official.

    The BBMP and the health department has identified and listed hotel rooms for those coming in from Kerala to undergo IQ. If need be, some are also being sent to Covid care centres. 

    Another BBMP official said the management does not understand that even if they carry negative test reports, the virus can start acting after 5-7 days. So IQ and an additional test is no harm. This exercise also ensures that the virus does not spread and cases do not rise. They must look at it as a social exercise and not as an obligation. “We also do not know if they have got a genuine test report or a fake report as the cases are rising in Kerala and the same should not happen in Bengaluru or Karnataka,” the official added.