Muslims to observe peaceful Karnataka bandh on Mar 17 over anti-Hijab verdict

News Network

March 16, 2022

The Muslim community in Karnataka will observe a day-long bandh on March 17 to protest against the high court ruling upholding the BJP government's controversial order prohibiting students from wearing religious attires, including hijab, in educational institutes, Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, the ‘Ameer-e-Shariat Karnataka,’ said on Wednesday.

Several Muslim organisations including Imams Council and Jama’at-e-Islami Hind have backed the Karnataka bandh call. However, leaders have decided not to take out any rallies. All Muslim students –both male and female- in the state have been asked to boycott classes during bandh.

“I request all the Muslims to listen to my order attentively and implement it strictly. On March 17, there will be a complete bandh across Karnataka,” Maulana Rashidi said in a video message. He also described the high court order as ‘sad.’

However, the senior cleric urged youngsters to stay peaceful during the agitation. “You should not impose the bandh by forcibly closing shops. There should be no sloganeering or processions. This protest will be completely silent, peaceful, and aimed at only expressing our anger against the verdict,” he said.

Urging every ‘justice loving’ person to participate in the protest, Maulana Rashidi further remarked that the protestors should convey to the ‘rulers’ that ‘it is possible to get educated while adhering to religious practices.’

The Karnataka high court on Tuesday upheld the ban on religious attires on campuses, observing in its 129-page order that hijab is not an Essential Religious Practice (ERP). A full bench, headed by chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, held as many as 11 hearings across February and March to hear petitions against the Karnataka government's February 5 order banning the use of any cloth on the campus that could 'disturb peace, harmony and public order.'

On February 10, the bench, also comprising Justices KS Dixit and JM Khazi passed an interim order, restraining students from wearing religious clothes till its final judgment in this case.

The petitioners, who are students from Udupi, have already rejected the verdict and will challenge it in the Supreme Court. The top court will take up the matter after the Holi vacations.

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'Will quit as CM in 2 days': Arvind Kejriwal announces shock resignation, calls for early Delhi polls

News Network

September 15,2024

New Delhi: Two days after he was granted bail and walked out of prison after six months, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced his shock resignation from the top post at a party meeting this afternoon. "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair till the people announce their verdict. Elections in Delhi are months away. I got justice from the legal court, now I will get justice from the people's court. I will sit on the Chief Minister's chair only after the order of the people," he said.

"I want to ask the people of Delhi, is Kejriwal innocent or guilty? If I have worked, vote for me," he said, adding that a meeting of AAP MLAs will be held within the next two days to choose the new Chief Minister for the national capital.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said a member of the party will be named Chief Minister after his resignation. He said he would go among the people and ask for their support. Mr Kejriwal also demanded that the elections in the national capital, scheduled for February, be held in November along with the polls in Maharashtra.

In his address to the AAP workers, Mr Kejriwal launched an all-out attack against the Narendra Modi government and said it was more dictatorial than the British.

He said he did not resign as Chief Minister despite being arrested because he wanted to save democracy. "They have registered cases against (Karnataka Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah, (Kerala Chief Minister) Pinarayi Vijayan, (Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata didi (Banerjee). I want to appeal to non-BJP, do not resign if they register cases against you. This is their new game," he said.

Mr Kejriwal said he had also spoken to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia about the issue. Mr Sisodia too was recently granted bail in connection with corruption allegations surrounding Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. "I spoke to Manish, he too has said that he will handle the post only after the people say we are honest. My and Sisodia's fate are in your hands now," he said.

Responding to the shocking development, BJP's Harish Khurana questioned why the AAP leader is creating a drama. "Why after 48 hours? he should resign today. In the past too, he has done this. People of Delhi are asking, he can't go to the secretariat, can't sign documents? What is the point then?" Asked if the BJP was ready for early polls, Mr Khurana replied, "We are ready, whether it is today or tomorrow. We will return to power in Delhi after 25 years."

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