Bangalore | The bandh in Karnataka against the High Court verdict upholding the ban on hijab in schools is entirely peaceful. No untoward incident was reported during the bandh, which was organized by various Muslim organizations. The bandh was partial as no one came forward to force shops to close or block vehicles.
Security was tight in areas of southern Kannada, including Udupi, Mangalore and Kodagu, where the hijab controversy was raging. Here the debt markets functioned partially. Vehicles did not come on the road much. The bandh was complete in areas including the border region of Dakshina Kannada.
The Karnataka High Court has rejected a petition filed by students against the ban on hijab in educational institutions. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Ashwathy, comprised Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khasi.
The hijab is not obligatory for Muslim women like the turban of other religions. This cannot be seen as a fundamental right. School uniforms are the only rational control. Is constitutionally permissible. The verdict did not mean that the government could take a decision on the matter.