Bengaluru, Feb 8: Stone pelting was reported in Bagalkot on Tuesday during a student protest against a ban on hijab and saffron scarves in Karnataka’s college campuses.
The clash broke out over an argument between hijab-wearing students and another group of students who came in saffron scarves, police said.
Three students were injured in the stone pelting, the police added.
As tension prevailed at the Government Pre-University College of Rabakavibanahatti, the college management announced a holiday for the college.
Superintendent of Police Lakshmiprasad and other officers rushed to the spot. In Vijayapura district, the hijab-wearing and saffron shawl wearing students were stopped at the entrance of the Shanteshwar Pre University College of Indi town. They raised slogans after they were restricted from entering the campus.
Meanwhile, another group emerged with blue shawls supporting the wearing of hijab by the Muslim students, which led to chaos. The police rushed to control the situation.
The protest also intensified at the Mandya PES College as students wearing hijab shouted “Allah o Akbar” and the Hindu students retaliated with “Jai Shri Ram”. The controversy also spilled over to a college in Chikmagalur.
Tension also prevailed in the Udupi MGM College where hijab and saffron scarves wearing students arrived at the campus but the management declared a holiday for an indefinite period. Police and the concerned college admin are monitoring the situation.
