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BG Ramakrishna, the principal of the Government Pre-University College in Karnataka’s Udupi, courted a major controversy after barred entry of girl wearing hijab in the campus. The row then spiralled nationwide and led to protests.
Students leave after they were not allowed to enter the Pre-university colleges while wearing Hijab, in Udupi. (Credit: Getty Images)
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government its paused the decision to give a Teacher’s Day award to BG Ramakrishna, the principal of Udupi’s Government Pre-University College, which became the ground zero of a major row in 2022 controversy over the banning of Muslim girls wearing hijab from entering the campus.
Speaking at a press briefing in Bengaluru on Thursday, Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the selection of award recipients is typically handled by a district-level committee, which reviews and chooses candidates from a pool of eligible applicants.
She said the committee did not take the hijab controversy into consideration and upon knowing about the issue on Wednesday, the decision was made to put the award on hold. “The matter needs clarification, and an update will be provided once that is received,” she added. The minister has requested the committee to re-examine the situation and report back as soon as possible.
The Minister stressed that the committee should have thoroughly verified all details before choosing the principal for the award. He clarified that the issue revolves around how the principal treated the students, urging that it not be turned into a political matter.
Meanwhile, an undated video is circulating on social media showing principal Ramakrishna trying to close the college gates to stop from entering a group of hijab-wearing girls who are seen standing opposite to him. The girls are heard trying to talk convince the principal to let them enter but he appears unfazed and ignores their words.
Karnataka hijab row
The Karnataka hijab row refers to a controversy that erupted in early 2022 when a group of Muslim students in the Udupi district were barred from wearing hijabs (Islamic headscarves) inside classrooms at a government pre-university college. The incident quickly escalated, sparking protests and debates across the state and country about religious freedom, secularism, and educational dress codes.
Later the BJP-led Bommai government also issued an order that banned wearing of hijab inside campuses.
The students argued that wearing the hijab was part of their religious and cultural identity, and barring them from doing so violated their constitutional right to freedom of religion. On the other hand, the college authorities and the state government maintained that the hijab violated the institution’s uniform policy, which was meant to ensure equality and discipline within the educational environment.
The issue gained national attention, with protests from both sides: one supporting the right to wear the hijab and another opposing it, emphasizing the need for uniformity in educational institutions. In several instances
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