Bengaluru, May 14: The leader of the opposition in Karnataka, R. Ashok, launched a sharp attack on the state government on Wednesday regarding its decision to withdraw the 2022 school uniform order and allow limited traditional and religious symbols, including the hijab, in schools and colleges.
Ashok accused the Congress government of raising the hijab issue again as a “desperate appeasement strategy” following the results of the Davanagere by-elections and growing discontent among minority voters.
He stated, “The Congress government, rattled by the results of the Davanagere by-elections and the increasing anger among its minority voter base, has once again adopted its old divisive strategy.”
The BJP leader pointed out that while Karnataka faces issues like rising inflation, corruption, farmer suicides, and deteriorating law and order, the state government is focusing on religious issues for political gain.
“This is not a matter of rights. It is a calculated political bribe to appease a specific community that has recently expressed its discontent,” he added.
Ashok also criticized the state government for allegedly disregarding judicial decisions. Citing the 2022 Karnataka High Court ruling on a “uniform dress code in educational institutions,” he claimed that the Congress government has insulted the judiciary by overturning previous court orders.
He emphasized, “The High Court had stressed that educational institutions should remain centers of discipline and equality, not platforms for religious displays.”
The BJP leader accused the Congress government of practicing “selective secularism,” claiming that allowing the hijab in educational institutions discriminates against the saffron scarf.
He alleged, “In this (Karnataka) regime, the hijab is being green-lighted under the guise of freedom, while an immediate ban is imposed on the saffron scarf.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.