Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru, Feb 21: The prohibition on rallies and agitations for and against the strict application of the schools, colleges uniform regulations in Bengaluru city was extended by two weeks today by the Bengaluru police chief.
Following large protests that show no indications of abating, a prohibition on protests within a 200-meter radius of any school, college, or other educational institution in the city was originally imposed on February 9 for two weeks. It’s been extended till March 8th.
The prohibition order stated that the protests were disrupting “public peace and order” in some areas, and that it was “very important” to take necessary security measures.
“Since the issue is still alive and possibility of holding protests, for and against the same in Bengaluru city cannot be ruled out, it is considered appropriate to extend the aforementioned prohibitory order,” said the fresh order issued today.
The Dakshina Kannada district administration in Karnataka recently extended the prohibitory orders in force in the district’s schools and colleges till February 26.
Stone-pelting events and young Muslim ladies being harassed by saffron-clad students have made headlines in the debate over hijab (headscarves).
The state’s demonstrations began late last year, when school children were denied the right to wear the headscarf. Since then, saffron scarves have been used in protests and counter-demonstrations that have expanded to other states.
Karnataka’s state government temporarily closed schools in an attempt to defuse tensions, but they have progressively reopened since then.
Notably, the Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order prohibiting the wearing of all religious symbols in schools while the court evaluates the headscarf ban.
