How Neo-Hindutva works: Hijab row dents Karnataka image, but gives BJP a boost


By MK Ashoka

Bengaluru, Jun 25 (IANS): The hijab crisis which made international headlines and pushed Karnataka under the spotlight has been seen as a development detrimental to the image of the state which is considered one of the most progressive and prosperous in the country. However, insiders in the BJP and the RSS confide that the crisis has proved to be a shot in the arm for them ahead of the state assembly polls.

The hijab row played out over months in the state with initially the month-long protests by 6 students of the Udupi Pre-University Girl's College who demanded that they be allowed to wear a hijab while attending classes, later, the protests, afterwards the legal battle, resistance to the High Court order by a section of Muslim religious leaders and masses have all gone in favour of the ruling BJP, party sources said.

The BJP wanted polarisation among the Hindu masses. The hijab crisis and developments with regard to the resistance to the government order as well as the court order delivered it on a silver platter to the BJP, sources said.

The youth who were not so keen on Hindutva have now become ardent Hindutva followers. They flaunted saffron shawls and this has ensured the formation of future cadres who will cast their votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, insiders claimed.

The Congress is the loser in the whole episode as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) got the sympathy of the minority community in the state. BJP leaders proposed to impose a ban on SDPI alleging that they have trained the girls to stage a protest for the hijab.

The 6 girls who started the protest praised the SDPI and how it had helped them and clarified that it was they who approached the SDPI for help.

Congress leaders D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack on the RSS for creating social unrest.

Chaman Farzana, educationist and national secretary of the All India Mahila Congress, told IANS that a non-issue has been made into an issue which will have a direct bearing on the education of a girl belonging to the minority community.

The concept of a uniform was brought by the Britishers. Why adopt a British norm here, why is hijab not being allowed? In north Karnataka, none of the women come out of their homes without a cloth around their heads. Small girls seeking an education come out of their houses in veils. They have become sufferers. Is it right for anyone to make them suffer? Farzana questioned.

In orthodox Muslim families education is rare among girls. Now, when the hijab is banned the parents are asking them to marry and settle down. It is a great loss to the nation, she said.

Following the protest by Muslim religious leaders and traders against the dismissal of petitions seeking permission to wear the hijab in classes, a series of communal incidents followed. Hindu activists declared a ban on Muslim traders which again made headlines. It trickled down to the demand for the prohibition of the use of loudspeakers in mosques.

However, the situation came under control after Muslim religious leaders announced that they will follow the court order. The majority of students belonging to the minority community started coming for exams and classes without the hijab. A few of them who resisted were sent back home from their classes.

Congress MLA and former Minister U.T. Khader said that the hijab crisis is over in Karnataka. Education is most important and it is very important to educate girls. There should be no hindrance. The hijab rule by the court and the government should be taken positively.

The court has given a judgement and students will have to follow the law. The issue came up because of 6 students, he maintained.

Khader stated that one has to take risks for the good of society and he is doing the same. The first preference is peace, development and progress. It is not fair to put the careers of thousands of students at risk for the sake of 4 to 5 students.

"Our duty is to point out the right path, ultimately it is left to them. Ultimately it is a loss for them. We have to leave a good society for the future generation," he stated.

As the elections are fast approaching it is feared that the hijab row could make a comeback in the state. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Education Minister B.C. Nagesh have said that they will implement the uniform rule strictly. Educational institutions are asking students to take transfer certificates and join other colleges if they do not want to shun the hijab. Presently, the issue is before the Supreme Court.

 

 

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • srj, mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    SUCH REPORTS ARE FAKE AND HOLD NO WATER. THEY ARE PURPOSEFULLY DEVELOPED BY A LOBBY WHOSE INHERT INTENTION IS TO PAINT A NEGATIVE IMAGE OF INDIA. THIS LOBBY HAS BEEN ACTIVE AND INDULGING IN SUCH ACTIVITIES SINCE 2014. DOES THE LOBBY HAVE THE GUTS TO RELEASE A REPORT OF THE ATROCITIES CONDUCTED BY MUGHALS ON HINDUS AND INDIAN NATIVES?

    DisAgree [17] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Sweden, Denmark and other rich European countries also implemented hijab ban, did it dent their image?

    DisAgree [22] Agree [55] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lenny Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    I say this being a teacher myself. The logic is simple, If you really want to wear your religious attire ,for colleges, please join those institutions colleges where such clothes are permitted. Other schools have uniforms, do not be a burden or nuisance to others. Poor children who really wanted to study have lost their lessons and portions. They could not score good or even pass marks. Do not blame the opposition parties for not support such moves.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [66] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sma, Bengaluru

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Dear Pais.......is the strings around the wrist are part of uniform ???????????

    DisAgree [35] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lenny Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    sma. Even a writs watch for that matter is not part of uniform. Anything around the wrist or waist is not not prominent and does not differentiate between students. You have to know the difference between an attire and an accessory. Hope its clear .

    DisAgree [15] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sma, Bengaluru

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    When the things are not part of uniform...like watches....threads....why such things are not banned like scarf Hope my question is clear to you....let there be uniformity in everything

    DisAgree [24] Agree [15] Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Sun, Jun 26 2022

    Sma Bangalore ,simple to answer here to your question threads wrist watches doesnt hide your face .they dont play any part here.Identification of a person in a class or Public is essential.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sma, Bengaluru

    Sun, Jun 26 2022

    Rita.....hijab is not hiding face...it is covering head only Correct yourself....thanks

    DisAgree [4] Agree [7] Report Abuse

  • Prem Prasad, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 26 2022

    But Burqa is a full covering face.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Report Abuse

  • Sma, Bengaluru

    Sun, Jun 26 2022

    Prasad who told you burka is covering the face It is the MASK which is covering the face Hijab covers only the head

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Report Abuse

  • Dam, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Its clean & clear the hijab issue was a game-plan of BJP...

    DisAgree [41] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    So you mean the 6 Girls who forced their way into college with Hijab are RSS peopel?

    DisAgree [12] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dam, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Not girls.. The boys of saffron shawl is part of BJP plan... they suddenly started opposing hijab wearing girls in college .

    DisAgree [24] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Boys wore the saffron shawls before the Girls came in Hijab?. Comeon man use some common sense.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [20] Report Abuse

  • Dam, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 26 2022

    Oh boy... Girls wearing hijab in colleges since many years... no problem was thr... suddenly these boys started wearing shawl...and opposed the girls...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pacific Heights, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    As per you , the female students who suddenly wanted to wear Hijab inside the school were really RSS agents? and even the organizations that backed them?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sense_shetty, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    If I would have been ashamed ,I would have left this State ..Or India itself.and gone on to settle in Saudi,Syria,pakistan,afghanistan, bangladesh .. etc or any muslim brotherhood state ,Which has conducive environment for Islam to grow.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheriff, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    When you have ' online parties' as opposition, the max you can expect is 'lions' on online forums with fake ids. Lashing and bashing for 2-3 days and thats it. There is no ground work to counter or actively protest. Thats where BJP/RSS victory is. Its obvious when a protest or conference is called .Attendance is measured in the range of 10-12. Nobody wants to get associated in such causes .

    DisAgree [6] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajan, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Rss bjp agenda .. .. Brahmin control by creating needless controversy.... The backward castes .. OBC ...ST SC .. Dalits ..etc who are in majority ..Falling for the hijab trap .... Create imaginary fears .. although in majority... Create divisions.. rss motto .. Five hundred million go hungry everyday in India or have Non nutritional food .. low education.. low on human development index ...sorry state ..of affairs ...

    DisAgree [22] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • A L Mendonca, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    What a non issue- more like a cheap trap - similar to triple talaq.Muslims should concentrate on education of their children and not fall for these political traps.Only way out of this mess is education and mixing with society instead of being in isolation.Cost of remaining outside of society is too high for future generations.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • roy Indian, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    divide and rule is the only agenda of BJP & RSS. this only they want. ,conquer it then change whole country to Hindutva. they will sure change India name to Hindustan.

    DisAgree [24] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • real kujuma, kodial

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    not only hijab...there are many issues in karnataka, especially bothering the athi buddivantara jillegalu, which are not heard anywhere in south India at least...beef, not allowing Muslim vendors, auto drivers for temple functions, etc etc..kudla was badly hit in 2008 due to church attacks...there were two major call centres functioning at that time at morgansgate and near PVS...there were plans for more to get shifted from mlore....but then they came to know that athi buddivantha land of monkeys is not fit for cosmopolitan environment..so now same rolling beedis is left ...

    DisAgree [38] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Raheja Waterfront

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Hindutva is supported only by Chaddis ...

    DisAgree [33] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • Moshu, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Yesturday the USA expressing “grave concern about the worsening treatment of religious minorities in India”, the resolution calls on the US Secretary of State to designate India as a “country of particular concern”

    DisAgree [44] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chris, Tel Aviv

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    How come you got so much love for USA now ??

    DisAgree [22] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • Moshu, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Because, you love Chaiwala

    DisAgree [16] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithin, Bangalore/SA

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Dont twist statements, USA didnt say, what you are referring to is astupid staement made by illan omar, first read who she is and who is funding her, india is most liberal to all religions. Unlike countries like islamic republic of pookistan, can you tell me state of minorities there ????

    DisAgree [15] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chandu, Karla

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Moshu, Mangalore, Get your facts straight first....it was not USA expressing but one of the Somali migrant proposing such resolution.......which will not make any difference...!!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sargam, Maharashtra

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    It's not only hindutva folks even extreme liberal are ri be blamed women like Urmila Matondkar who are 50 lost their prime do illicit relationship with a Muslim man beings disharmony in society these eldery lusty women are ti be blamed equally

    DisAgree [14] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed ansar, UDYAVARA

    Sat, Jun 25 2022

    Can some intelligent can explain what is Hindutva? Is Hindutva in trouble today? If is in trouble give some example. Its really disturbing.

    DisAgree [20] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: How Neo-Hindutva works: Hijab row dents Karnataka image, but gives BJP a boost



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.