Tensions were high at the Government Pre-University College of Rabakavibanahatti in Bagalkot, Karnataka, where two groups of students, those wearing hijabs and those wearing saffron scarves, began throwing stones at one other. When the situation became violent, the college administration announced a holiday.
When stone pelting was reported during the students’ demonstration, the Karnataka Police used lathi charges. To disperse the mob from the Bapujinagar Government Pre-University College in Shivamogga, police used canes on students and demonstrators. Even as the High Court began hearing the case, the Hijab controversy in Karnataka erupted into violence on Tuesday, with cases of stone-pelting and lathi-charge recorded at Pre-University Colleges across the state.
Many students were injured, according to accounts, as a result of the stone-pelting. Police stated that stone-pelting started after an argument broke out between the hijab-wearing students and another group of students who came in saffron shawls. Three students were injured in the stone-pelting. Superintendent of Police Lakshmiprasad and other senior police officers rushed to the spot and are monitoring the situation.
In Mandya PES College, students wearing hijab raised “Allah hu Akbar” slogans, while Hindu students raised “Jai Sriram” slogans. IDSG College in Chikkamagalur was similarly affected by the hijab row.
At the entrance of Shanteshwar Pre University College in Indi town, Vijayapura district, students wearing hijab and saffron shawls were halted.
