Karnataka: The Karnataka bandh called by Muslim organisations in view of the High Court judgement upholding the Government order banning Hijab has evoked a positive response with shops and other business establishments being closed in many parts of the Bhatkal town in Uttara Kannada district.
“The town had also imposed self-bandh since yesterday morning. It has continued since then. The Bhatkal Tanjim has called for a total bandh. It has been responded positively by both Muslims and a section of non-Muslims too,” said a source on grounds of anonymity.
The Amir-E-Shariat of Karnataka, Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, on Wednesday gave a call for a state-wide bandh on Thursday, opposing the recent verdict given by the state HC on Hijab row.
“Expressing our anger against the sad order of the Karnataka High Court regarding hijab, a state-wide bandh will be observed on Thursday,” Rashadi said, as he appealed to the entire Muslim community to support the bandh between 6 am and 6 pm on 17th March. Apart from them, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Campus Front of India (CFI) have also supported the bandh call.
Police have been stationed across the town to maintain law and order. “Considering this as a sensitive place, we are fully prepared to ensure there is peace here,” a senior officer said.
The HC on 15th March issuing its ordeal in Hijab row stayed the Hijab order by the state govt. The three bench judge hearing the petition said- “We are of the considered opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith… The prescription of school uniform is only a reasonable restriction that is constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object to.”
Opposition and Muslim organizations slammed the verdict stating -it violated constitutional rights.