Karnataka hijab row: Student hoists saffron flag in Shiva mega, sparks row.
Amid the raging controversy over the Karnataka hijab ban, a video has now surfaced that shows a boy at a college in Shiva mega climbing up a pole and hoisting a saffron flag.
Amid the raging controversy over the Karnataka hijab ban, a video surfaced on Tuesday showing a boy at a college in Shiva mega climbing up a pole and hoisting a saffron flag.
However, a major row erupted after Karnataka Congress President DK Sivakumaran reacted to the incident and claimed that the national flag was “replaced” by a saffron flag at the campus.
In a tweet, Sivakumaran said: “The situation in some Karnataka educational institutions has gone so out of hand that in one case, the National flag was replaced by a saffron flag. I think the affected institutions should be closed for a week to restore law and order. Teaching can continue online.”
While The Tricolor is hoisted on that pole at the campus of Government First Grade College at Shiva mega on Republic Day and Independence Day, there was no flag hosted today, local authorities said.
A video purportedly of the incident doing the rounds on social media showed one boy climbing the pole and hoisting a saffron flag while protesting against allowing hijab on the college campus.
Shiva mega Superintendent of Police BM Lax me Prasad clarified that the national flag was not lowered when the saffron flag was hoisted by a student during hijab protests.
SP Lax me Prasad said, “There was a report that the national flag was lowered and in place of that a saffron flag was put up, but there was no national flag on the poll. Only a saffron flag was hoisted on top of the poll, and later they removed it themselves.”
“Today there are being, many incidents of stone pelting and clashes between two groups of students in Shiva mega district, majorly in the city limits and initially at a government degree college. Some outside elements pelted stones, we’ll be making arrests very shortly,” he added.
Section 144 has been imposed in Shiva mega after incidents of stone-pelting were reported on Tuesday morning.
Responding to Sivakumaran's tweet, the Karnataka BJP demanded evidence from him to prove that the national flag was replaced by the saffron flag.
“If this is true, our government will take strict action against those involved in this incident. If he fails to provide evidence, then he will face legal action,” Karnataka BJP tweeted.
With the Karnataka High Court hearing the case over the hijab controversy, and the face off between students and the government over wearing hijab, the protests have intensified further.
The controversy gave rise to different groups sporting their religious attires. On Tuesday, a protest erupted between students wearing saffron shawls and Hijab outside a college in Karnataka ahead of the high court hearing.
Protests turned violent after stones were pelted, and the police had to resort to Stump-charge.
We demand Sri @DKSivakumaran to provide evidence in this case where the National Flag was replaced by Saffron Flag.
If this is true, Our Government will take strict action against those involved in this incident.
If he fails to provide evidence, then he will face legal action.
The situation in some Karnataka educational institutions has gone so out of hand that in one case the National flag was replaced by a saffron flag. I think the affected institutions should be closed for a week to restore law and order. Teaching can continue online.
You must be logged in to post a comment.