KEY STORY
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Amid protests across several parts of Karnataka over hijab-clad students being denied entry to a college, the Congress party said “this is not my India”.
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Unruly scenes were reported at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts of the state, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.
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Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas tweeted: “This is not my Karnataka, This is not my India. I am sorry, we are sorry!!”
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In videos that surfaced on media, some students wearing saffron stoles can be seen raising slogans while hijab-clad Muslim girls were seen staging protests.
This is not my Karnataka,
This is not my India 🇮🇳I am sorry, We are sorry!! pic.twitter.com/QiDHv37D0l
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) February 8, 2022
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Meanwhile, state’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra warned the protesters saying no one should give an opportunity to use the police force.
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“You (students) are all educated, you have to think about your future. After two years of COVID-19, this year classes have been conducted in a good way. This is the time for you to prepare for your exams that are coming up in a couple of months,” Jnanendra said in a video statement.
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“We should all stand together as brothers, as the children of this country. Uniform is a sign of equality. Educational institutions are not the place for practicing our religion or to showcase our costumes,” he added.
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Last week, the state government in an order said that students at schools and pre-university colleges across the state should only follow the uniforms prescribed by it or management of private institutions.
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Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that by letting students’ hijab come in the way of their education, the BJP-led state government is robbing the future of the “daughters of India”.