Hijab row: Section 144 imposed around high schools in Udupi
The Deputy Commissioner of Karnataka's Udupi district has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) within 200-meter radius area of all high schools in the district. The order will be effective from 6 am on February 14 to 6 pm on February 19. This means all gatherings and agitations are banned around high schools in the district till Saturday.
Why does this story matter?
The prohibitory orders came in the wake of protests both for and against the right to wear hijabs (headscarves) in educational institutes. The row started after six women students were barred from attending classes for wearing hijabs at a government college in Udupi. The protests have now spread to parts of Karnataka as well as several other states.
Classes 9, 10 to reopen from Monday
The order comes as classes 9 and 10 will reopen on Monday after the state government shut schools over the hijab row. However, the holidays for pre-university colleges have been extended till February 15. Reportedly, the decision to impose Section 144 was taken after Udupi's Superintendent of Police made a request to the district's Deputy Commissioner Kurma Rao.
Similar prohibitory order issued earlier in Bengaluru
Earlier this week, similar orders were issued in Bengaluru, restricting gathering of any kind around schools and colleges in the city till February 22. Section 144 was imposed around the schools, PU colleges, degree colleges, and other educational institutions in Bengaluru. On Tuesday, prohibitory orders were also imposed in southern Karnataka's Shivamogga town after protests turned violent at some places.
Hijab protest turns violent
Meanwhile, violent protests over headscarves have gripped parts of Karnataka and several other states. While some are protesting against the restrictions on wearing hijab, a few Hindu students have launched counter-protests by wearing saffron scarves. Those supporting the restrictions on hijab say students should follow the dress code and educational institutions are not places to practice religion.
Karnataka HC restrains students from wearing religious attire
On Thursday, the Karnataka High Court restrained students from wearing any religious attire in schools and colleges till the matter is pending in the court. The court will continue hearing the matter again on Monday. The interim order came while HC was hearing a plea filed by Muslim girls studying in government colleges in Udupi opposing the government's recent ban on hijabs in classrooms.
